Grand cleaning

[Greg Newell]

On Mon, 22 Apr 1996 08:03:46 -0600 (MDT) you wrote:

>>On Sun, 21 Apr 1996 13:45:59 -0600 (MDT) you wrote:
>>
>>>Here in dusty ol' Wyoming, we're constantly battling the dust problem in
>>>pianos.  Any suggestions/tips on cleaning grands, especially under the
>>>strings at the pinblock?  I've used swabs, compressed air, etc., with
>>>limited success. Keeping the cases closed when not playing of course
>>>helps, but the dust is persistent!  Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>>Robert Hussa
>>>Music Department
>>>Central Wyoming College
>>>2660 Peck Ave.
>>>Riverton WY 82501
>>>(307) 856-9291 Ext. 213
>>>FAX (307) 856-5104
>>>email:  hussa@odi.cwc.whecn.edu
>>
>>I've seen some folks use precut wool "blankets" for string covers.
>>Alternatively I sometimes recommend to my customers to go to the
>>office supply stores or computer stores and purchase those small cans
>>of compressed air used to clean computer keyboards and such. Pricey
>>cans but how often will they do it?
>>                                Greg
>>Greg & Mary Ellen Newell
>>Greg's Piano Forte'
>>12970 Harlon Ave.
>>Lakewood, OH 44107
>>
>>e-mail;
>>gnewell@en.com  or
>>dt945@cleveland.freenet.edu
>
>
>Greg and Robert,
>
>I cut-up some stage drapes that were replaced and fit that material inside
>the pianos.  Particularly in practice rooms it has worked out exceptionally
>well in keeping 'trash' out of the pianos.
>        We stretch the material in by poking a hole in the material and
>inserting it over a tuning pin. Then secure that by putting a front rail
>punching on the tuning pin.  Likewise, on the hitch pins we put balance
>rail punchings.  This keeps the material stretched so it doesn't ride on
>the dampers or the bass strings.  It also tells me quickly if someone has
>been messing around inside the piano by first glancing at how the cover in
>attached.
>        This has kept the strings and soundboard  - particularly the tuning
>pin area - clean and trashless.  It's a bit of work to cut and install, but
>I figure it saves my budget for student help from constantly having to
>clean the insides of our pianos.
>        Make yourself a cardboard pattern and find some drapery material.
>Have cover up the stings.
>        One more thing  -   The piano students complained that this cover
>was damping the sound and making the pianos 'dead'.  They also tried to
>sell me on the idea that it would make servicing the piano harder to have
>to remove the cover.  After some blind fold tests the students found that
>they could not tell when the covers were on and when they were off.  In
>fact, in these blindfold tests I found that the pianists could not tell
>when the lid was up or down.  When sitting at the piano our test pianists
>were wrong most of the time in guessing when the lid was up and when it was
>down.  While not too scientific it proved enough  to me that the string
>covers were not dampening the sound.
>          Some pianists still find it hard to accept, but they're coming
>around.  Sorry for the long post, but it is one of my current pet projects.
>I'd be interested in your solutions.
>
>
A quick note; I've heard that the material chioce for the cover is
important as the wrong material will actually hold in moisture unlike
the recommended wool.
                        Greg
Greg & Mary Ellen Newell
Greg's Piano Forte'
12970 Harlon Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107

e-mail;
gnewell@en.com    or
dt945@cleveland.freenet.edu