Upright Wippen & Mutton fat

[Kerry Cooper]

Phil,
In our part of the world, Brisbane Australia, we see verdigris on nearly all
piano makes. During the 50-60's, English piano makers did what they called
Tropicalised their piano being sent to Australia. To do this, they used
nickel plated centre pins and tinned or galvanised piano wire. The strings
did not rust and the centre pins did not get as much verdigris on them (only
on the cut ends where the brass was exposed to the environment). The old
German pianos of the early 1900's have a big problem if they have been left
sit unplayed for a number of years. We even get this on 20 - 30 year old
Yamaha & Kawai piano, especially grey market ones.

Kerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Frankenberg" <rinkyd@pacbell.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: Upright Wippen & Mutton fat


> Kerry
> You state "Verdigris on centrepins does not come from mutton fat, it is a
> natural effect of brass that has been polished by the felt bushing and
then
> let sit in a humid climate". In my experience I have never seen verdigris
on
> any piano other than Steinway, though I have seen many pianos that sat in
a
> humid climate for long periods that did not have verdigris. It seems to me
> there must be another factor here. I really don't know if it's sheep
tallow,
> I was told it was some 25 yrs ago ,but nothing to back it up. Why does
this
> seem to be at least mostly a Steinway phenonenon?
> Thanks
>
> Phil Frankenberg
>