[pianotech] Cleaning very old plate

[Joseph Garrett]

Rob,
Hmmm? All that you said, assumes that there is only ?? many years left in
the piano. What the heck is that? The oldest piano, that I work on,
regularly, was built in 1805! It is still tuneable, (strings were replaced
40 years ago), Cheek lift was repaired. Action has been
reconditioned/restored.. It's quite playable and musical, (w/a good early
Victorian Temperament<G>). SO? Tell me. How long do pianos last? Enlighten
me, as I have no idea what the answer to that question is.<G>
Regards,
Joe


> [Original Message]
> From: Rob McCall <rob at mccallpiano.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> Cc: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 5/23/2012 12:51:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Cleaning very old plate
>
> I agree with you 100%. I'm thinking more about those pianos, like this
one, that are at the end of their life. If there is something that can
extend it another 5-10 years or longer, then I think that would definitely
be the appropriate time to try this out.  In fact, this particular piano
might be a good test vehicle for long term effects.  Although, we'll have
to wait quite a few years to find out!
>
> Regards,
>
> Rob McCall
>
> McCall Piano Service, LLC
> www.mccallpiano.com
> Murrieta, CA
> 951-698-1875
>
> On May 22, 2012, at 18:27 , Joseph Garrett wrote:
>
> > Rob,
> > That is true, but, before I use something to clean a customer's piano, I
> > want to be very sure that it will not cause problems down the road. Or,
to
> > put it another way, if a piano has suffered smoke damage, (plastics,
> > especially), it is possible to "clean" it to a client's  satisfaction,
at
> > the time. However, the corrosivenss of that stuff will continue to erode
> > any metal in that piano, eventually rearing it's ugly head as a need to
> > take the piano COMPLETELY apart and clean ALL Surfaces before
re-assembly
> > of the piano. DAMHIK!<G> I like to think long term, as much as possible,
> > and so should we all, imo.<G>
> > Regards,
> > Joe
> > BTW, If I recall Doug has several degrees in that realm, so he would be
> > able to answer my question, himself.<G> (don'tcha think?<G>)
> > G