----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Gamble" <michael@gambles.fsnet.co.uk> To: "Mike Kurta" <mkurta@adelphia.net> Cc: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 7:47 AM Subject: Re: Jar of Water in Piano--Truth or myth? > Hello Mike Kurta & List > It may be our weather in the UK, but many people have installed central > heating in ther homes and central heating is a killer to the older pianos. > By older, I mean pre-1960s. After that date kiln dried woods were used in > piano construction, which, after shaping/planing, whatever, was then > sealed. Take Knight pianos and Danemann pianos which in this country were > made in vast quantities and sold, principally, to schools. Those pianos do > not seem to be so adversely affected by the drying out process of central > heating. I have many times instructed a client with an older upright to > get as LARGE a surface area container as possible to fit on the bottom > board of the piano, fill with water, mark where the water comes up to and > monitor its evaporation. If they notice the water going down they know > that were that container not there the moisture would have been extracted > from their piano...!!! This is motivation in taking care of their piano - > which can't be a bad idea. I usually instruct them to get one of those > sturdy plastic containers from a delicatessen or a used large ice-cream > tub. No need for any wicking, the large surface area takes care of itself. > The results on many older pianos can be quite remarkable. Pin blocks > tighten up, tuning becomes more stable etc. So don't knock the use of > water in this type of scenario - it works. It really does. At least it > does in the UK. Maybe our water is stronger? If your water is too strong, try diluting it with Gin or Scotch. Carl Meyer PTG assoc Santa Clara, Ca. > Regards from a sunny spring day in the Downland Village > Michael G.(UK) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mike Kurta" <mkurta@adelphia.net> > To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> > Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 12:06 PM > Subject: Re: Jar of Water in Piano--Truth or myth? > > >> I also have seen many empty Mason jars in the bottom of vertical >> pianos. >> Its my feeling that the surface area of the water exposed to the air is >> too >> small to have any real benefit, and without some method of infusing the >> moisture into the air (fan, heat, whatever) is does little good. Then, >> the >> adage "out of sight, out of mind" takes over, the owner forgets to fill >> the >> jar, and its ineffective anyway. >> Mike Kurta >> Auburn, NY Home of the Wegman piano >> >> > > > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >
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