[CAUT] Full Cover w/ DC

[Jon Page]

I recently took over the tuning for a church with a 7' Imp. Bosendorfer.

On my first visit the music director asked me to remove the tank.
I lifted a section of the full-length cover and got under the piano;
it was quite warm and humid, too much.

This is an old church with wooden floors with the parish hall below.
The heat radiated up through the floor and was trapped within the
cover causing the piano to become even warmer. With the humidifier
running it was like a sauna or greenhouse (to a degree).

Of course, as I was tuning, the piano drifted since it is now being
acclimated to the room. That was fun.

I recommended that they ditch the full length cover and supplement
the rods with a string cover. This way the string cover can remain on
during services and removed for performances if needed. I don't think
they need the H20 since there's no excessive heat or cold in the winter
and no one willing to monitor it.

I suggested they place a hygrometer inside to monitor the piano when
first opened and after service and to ascertain the effect of the full cover
and whether they really needed the H20 in the winter.
They have yet to do that.

The music committee asked the dealer about the full cover and DC
and the dealer naturally stuck by their sale.  I was asked by the music
director to give my suggestion at a committee meeting next week.

So my question is, with the heat radiating upwards from the hall below
is a full cover ideal. I believe a string cover and heat rods are sufficient.
I can see where a full-length cover in an auditorium can be useful
but in this case I think it is detrimental.

They don't really need the bulky, protective cover because there
is no traffic around the piano.  A lighter cover would do if desired.
-- 

Regards,

Jon Page