[CAUT] Twin Dollies and Climate control systems

[Paul T Williams]

Thanks, Kevin,

We have rods and humidistats in over 90% of all the other pianos, and they 
help quite a bit. I was looking at the Schaff #4009 as well.  I have 
access to a tilter, but I should probably just buy one as I still have 
enough funds. I don't see how to really install them without tilting.

I put small signs in all rooms right at the plug ins to leave them 
plugged, but still find a few unplugged every week. 

Paul




From:
"Fortenberry, Kevin" <kevin.fortenberry at ttu.edu>
To:
"caut at ptg.org" <caut at ptg.org>
Date:
05/04/2010 11:20 AM
Subject:
Re: [CAUT] Twin Dollies and Climate control systems



Paul,  I have had a great deal of success over the years with the Standard 
Twin Dollies -Schaff # 4009. (top of page 14 in their newer catalog). The 
heavy duty one below that, # 4003 would also more that suffice for your 
situation, although it may be a bit of overkill and they seem a little 
bulky to me. Jansen's # J4009 would be $120.00 your cost, plus 
shipping--about the same as Schaff. (They also have a heavy duty one as 
well.) Regardless of which one of these you decide, this is your best 
answer to the situation you are describing.

As far as installing them, it is MUCH, MUCH better to tilt the piano to 
install, and screw them securely to the piano bottom and to the back. 
There is a way to install the light duty twin dollies without tilting the 
piano, but not the heavy duty ones. I will be happy to explain this in 
detail offline, but it is not as good and I would only recommend this if 
you do not have access to the tilter, and you don't mind some possible 
follow up in the future.

Regarding the Climate control systems; to all interested in what is 
working here at Texas Tech University (98 pinaos):

I am in similar situation as you on this. We now have about 5 full systems 
in use on piano faculty and on a couple of other key pianos, and I am not 
planning on adding any more full systems. They work very well, except on 
the few who get too busy, or travel, etc.(these systems still help out a 
lot because they are still effective as a partial system, even when 
neglected.) HOWEVER, most of the rest of our practice pianos, etc. do have 
the partial systems, and I agree with Jeff on this, this is the way to go. 
Try to get as many of these installed on as many pianos as possible (if 
you can get them funded. And, add under covers if you want to take it 
further.) I also want to add this:  Signs on the wall (if printed in large 
enough print, etc.,  DO HELP!!!!   A lot!!  I can testify to this as I 
have plastered signs (be kind but firm and bold) on each wall next to the 
plug, and then a smaller red sign taped to each cord usually next to the 
piano--over this past year. It is working!!  It did take a little time, 
and I had to visit with certain faculty members to try to get them on the 
same page, but I was never rude or angry about it. YOU JUST HAVE TO GET 
THESE SIGNS IN THEIR FACE! For example, in our band hall last year; I had 
to tape a couple of large print signs on the piano just before a jazz gig, 
(or it would not stay plugged in even for 2 days). I used the blue 
painters tape to be safe. It read:  PLEASE DO NOT UNPLUG THE PIANO 
HUMIDITY SYSTEM. IT IS VITAL TO KEEP IT IN TUNE. (If you move the piano 
across the room, please re-insert it ASAP!!    The signs were only on the 
piano for a few days, and now the piano has remained plugged in 
consistently for about 10 months straight.  (I will have to sort of start 
over in the fall, but that's ok. It's well worth the effort!!

Hope this helps some, Kevin Fortenberry, RPT; Texas Tech University



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