ABS materials

[harvey]

I can't speak to the use of ABS regarding their use in player operations.
However, I feel qualified to stop the 'implication of' Andy's statement
before it becomes part of the discussion and/or rumor mill.

ABS is not the same material as earlier, nitro-cellulose offerings. As a
material, it's use is also not exclusive to either Kawai or pianos.
However, prior to being incorporated into pianos, the material was tested
in manners that bordered on obscene! The tests included, in part:
temperature (alternately heating/freezing), underground burial, and parts
being left on roof tops across seasons -- with ultra-violet exposure and
whatever else the elements had to offer. As far as I know, the control
models may still be under test decades later.

I once performed a rudimentary and totally unscientific test of ABS.
Recalling that nitro-based materials would violently self destruct when
ignited, I tried to nuke several different ABS parts -- flanges, jacks,
etc. Results? As long as direct flame was applied, the part would "attempt"
to burn. It would emit a small trail of black smoke, deform at the exact
spot of the flame, and generally appear quite ugly. When the flame was
removed, the part would self-extinguish (woudn't support combustion on it's
own). Of course, the part was often useless afterwards, but that wasn't the
point of the test.

Finally, any time comparisons are moot -- ABS materials have already
outlived those earlier offerings by many years in the U.S. alone. And, they
were used in Japan for domestic production long before they were introduced
[accepted] here. If the parts started to fail today for the same reasons,
they would still have been superior in time/use ratio to earlier materials.

Providing Kawai replacement parts through alternate channels (supply
houses) has been discussed many times in the past. I personally like the
idea, but any such suggestions have always been ignored. Kawai America
remains the source for replacement parts.


[snippet from Andy]
IMO, ABS might be the answer. info please Don? as long as the ABS doesn't
"time out" like those god awful spinet elbows, and fall apart internally, It
might be superior to wood. where would I inquire about getting some of these
parts? Schaff doesn't list them.


Jim Harvey, RPT
harvey@greenwood.net