Good question, Keith. First, let me apologize in advance for extending a thread with a commercial nature on what should be a technical list.
The way we must present our product to most piano owners is extremely simplified, as they cannot relate to what I am about to describe. We begin with our technical understandings, derived from the data we have developed in-house and in the field. We believe pitch stability is obtained primarily through stabilization of soundboard moisture content by control of relative humidity in the piano cavity. What data do we have? We have a volume of data on maintaining relative humidity within a narrow range inside pianos. Early data was developed in our test rooms. Over the last six years, I have enlisted technicians to conduct field studies in homes, universities and concert venues under a variety of climatic conditions to more realistically evaluate the performance of our product. The advent of relative humidity data loggers allowed for this, and I thank Alan Gilreath for pointing me in this direction back in 2001. These tests overwhelming demonstrate that our product does maintain a narrow range of relative humidity inside a piano. On occasion, we encounter a piano in which this is more difficult than usual and may require some modification or enhancement of the system.
In the late 1990's, we did long term tests in vertical and grand pianos measuring soundboard moisture content at various positions on the soundboard. This type of testing is challenging in that it is somewhat destructive. Pins must be stuck into the wood, leaving small holes upon removal. Non-invasive wood moisture meters are suspect regarding accuracy. Even the pin models lose significant accuracy below 6% equilibrium moisture content. We were able to develop data showing equilibration of the soundboard moisture content when the soundboard was exposed to the stable environment created by our product. Stabilization often takes at least 14 days. The entire soundboard is not at the same equilibrium moisture content. Rather the area near the dehumidifier is a bit drier. The area near the humidifier would be moister. However, the values remain constant during system operation, even when the ambient environment is changed from very dry to very humid. Thus when the soundboard isn't shrinking or swelling, we believe good pitch stability is maintained constantly.
Data on pitch stability is more limited. Most of this has been done by our European technical representative Odd Aanstad using an electronic tuning device. We also own an electronic tuning device. I had hoped to initiate a series of studies on a new Schimmel grand we purchased, in order to validate the final connection from controlled relative humidity to soundboard moisture content equilibration to pitch stability. Dummy that I was, I forgot about string stretch on a new piano. I ran a lot of tests generating confusing data, got frustrated with the situation and then never returned to complete the research. It was about this time I became excited with the field testing program described above. I likely should have returned and finished the work. That said, of course we have an abundance of anecdotal information from technicians documenting the development of pitch stability in "wayward" pianos after the installation of our product.
So what do you tell a piano owner? Or, possibly more clearly, what do you tell a piano owner in order to get his or her attention? This is where we came up with the phrase "you can keep your piano on pitch constantly". Is it a stretch? I don't think so. You may disagree. I am certain that less than 1% of piano owners could follow my discussion, above, or even care to. This is where the technician can bridge the gap in making it more understandable, after a conversation has been initiated.
Now for the second phrase, "double its life". Here technical data is absent and we are relying on anecdotal information from your fellow technicians. We are a small family-owned business in western North Carolina. We do not have the resources to test 10 pianos with a system and 10 pianos without watching for signs of deterioration over a time frame of many years. Is using anecdotal information to make a claim wrong? I don't think so. You may disagree. The reputation of the person making the claim is certainly important. A technician who strongly agrees with this claim is Arlan Harris, current President of the New York City Chapter of the PTG and also President of the Technical Division of Klavierhaus in New York City. I cannot say that an equally respected and qualified technician might not strongly disagree.
In the end we walk the tight wire of trying to get a piano owner's attention while maintaining scientific objectivity and accuracy. I am a scientist by training. One of my mentors told me early in my business career that I should never let bad business compromise good science. I try to live by that advice.
Roger
----- Original Message -----
From: Keith McGavern
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 6:28 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Dampp-Chaser Brochure response
Dear List,
It has been awhile since I have posted to this list, so please forgive my method of madness in doing so in the fashion that I have.
Regarding Matthew Todd's post and Roger Wheelock's response:
I, too, have a concern about the cover page of the new brochure along with Matthew Todd.
Are you trying to say, Roger, that the only validation for saying such a thing as:
"Now, You can Keep Your piano On PItch Constantly and also Double its LIfe."
is solely to introduce what you say is what the brochure is designed to do and not what is actually can do without reservation,
"The brochure is designed to initiate a conversation with the piano owner."
Sincerely, and after having already purchased the newly designed brochures
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Hello Matthew,
Thank you for your post about the Piano Life Saver brochure. I would like to address your concerns and reassure you that we are not trying to eliminate work for technicians. We have done our very best to support all of our loyal installers over the years, while helping novices understand the benefits of our product along with the technical intricacies associated with installation, care and maintenance of the system.
We consider that maintaining pitch and providing a high quality tuning are two separate issues. Pitch stability eliminates the need for a pitch adjustment prior to completing the tuning. The two pass tuning can be a nightmare for the technician who invests a significant amount of extra time for a fixed tuning fee.
Technicians, who make this distinction clear to their customers, can provide higher quality tunings with the possibility of additional service like voicing and regulation that is good for the piano and good for the piano owner.
The brochure is designed to initiate a conversation with the piano owner. Some technicians have difficulty in suggesting the purchase of a relatively expensive addition even when it provides value beyond the initial investment. By leaving a brochure with the piano owner, a follow-up call becomes natural without any sense of trepidation on the part of the technician.
Our approach has not really changed over the 13 years I have been with the company. We know that if we are not supporting the technician in our market, we will not be a sustainable business over the long haul. In this regard we provide significant sales support through PTG classes and the "technicians' only", password protected section of our web site. Teresa Severin is also available to work with you individually on growing your business. Just let us know how we can help.
Roger
Roger Wheelock, VP
Dampp-Chaser Corp.
----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Todd
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 9:30 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Dampp-Chaser Brochure
I was just curious as to what everyone thought of the new DC brochure shown on p. 7 of the Dec. journal.
I am not sure how I feel about that. Maybe I read into things too much, but if someone told me that I can now keep my piano on pitch constantly, I would probably get the sysem and never call my piano tuner again. And then when my piano did start sounding out of tune, I would call my tuner and tell him that it was a false statement he made about "constantly".
Did I jump the gun here? Do any of you have the brochure? Maybe the inside explains more about regular piano tunings.
TODD PIANO WORKS
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com
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