humidity fudge factor

Don drose@dlcwest.com
Thu, 01 Jun 2000 10:09:40 -0600


Hi All,

Just another bit of data for my quest for a humdity *fudge* factor when
recomending tunings.

The piano this time was an Everett 42 console with metal back posts (serial
# 219774). It is equipped with a damppchaser system and plastic back cover.
The piano was last tuned February 15, 2000. At that time the humidity
control system was unplugged and empty of water. The humidity was a scant
18%. As the piano was to be used for a function that day where A440 was
requested I pitch corrected between 24 and 108 cents, warned them to not
plug in the unit til after the performance and booked a tuning for June 1,
to take care of the instabilities that would have developed with the return
of the control system.

I arrived to find the piano had drifted 18 cents sharp. If we assume the
control system is set for 42% the change in humidity was 24% from the last
tuning. This give a fudge factor of .75 cents per 1 percentage change in
humidity. These results happen to be exactly the same as the previous
instance that I reported on where the piano was unplugged and the
instrument had drifted flat.

I do hope that some one else will be able confirm this. But I think so far
we may suggest that pitch drop in well made console pianos is about .75
cents for each percentile change in humidity, whether that percentage
change is up or down.

If any one has any data to add *please* post to the list or to me
personally at drose@dlcwest.com

 
Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.M.T., R.P.T.

Tuner for the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts

drose@dlcwest.com
http://donrose.htmlplanet.com/

3004 Grant Rd.
REGINA, SK
S4S 5G7
306-352-3620 or 1-888-29t-uner



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