[pianotech] Expanding leads

[johnparham at piano88.com]

Allen,

Thank you for reposting this website from the U.S. Navy. The last time
this subject came up someone posted the same link, and I read the
article from beginning to end. I recommend everyone read it if you
haven't already.

I favor discussing research over guessing most days.

-John Parham

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Expanding leads
> From: Allen Wright <akwright at btopenworld.com>
> Date: Tue, March 12, 2013 8:56 pm
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>
>
> Wim,
>
> On Mar 13, 2013, at 12:31 AM, pianotech-request at ptg.org wrote:
>
> >
> > Again, if it is the wood, why are some leads corroding, and some are not, in the same piano? Or is there that much difference in the fibers of a set of keys that makes some leads corrode, and not others? Or, since keys are made from three or four boards end glued together, with one or more boards coming from different trees, is there that much difference in the acid content from one pine tree to another?
>
> Could be. Why couldn't different parts of the same tree have different amounts of acids? There could be all sorts of subtle variables. I'm not an expert in the area. But it's nice at least to have a more accurate understanding of what the problem is (according to very motivated experts who have studied the issue), rather than just assuming that it's humidity.
> >
> > So it seems that in order for the corroding problem not to surface again, perhaps the only real solution is a new set of keys, made from basswood, weighted with a set of electroplated leads. Yeah, right. Try to sell that job to a customer with a 50 year old Kimball spinet.
>
> Maybe it's simply an insoluble problem that we have to live with, and the best we can do is provide purely symptomatic treatment. At least we'll be giving people a more accurate prognosis.
>
> I'd recommend reading the study, though (if you haven't). It's quite fascinating.
>
> Allen