Silencing a piano

[Tom Servinsky]

Or you can call Markertek directly        1 800 522 2025 and order either
the 2" or 3" acoustical insulation foam.  This material is designed to
contain sound, as you will see this material on most sound recording studio
walls. Also known as "egg crate" foam.
A sheet (5'x3') costs well under $50 plus shipping, and  you can get enough
for 1 1/2 pianos. Cut and measure large triangular pieces by tracing the
foam against the underside of the piano. Cut the pieces an extra 1/2" wide
on each side so that the foam has to be squeezed into place.  No adhesive is
necessary.
You'll need a fresh long razor blade to do a nice cutting of this material,
otherwise you'll make a mess out of the procedure...ask me how I know.
The whole process will take about  45 mins. to cut and install.
The material will reduce the sound by an additional 30-40%. Cut an
additional piece for the top side if you want to make it sound like it's the
adjoining room.
The beauty of only installing this on the underside is the player's
perception of the piano is not affected by the foam attachment.  It's only
those listening from afar that perceive the sound reduction.
This is a common installation for Disklavier and other player devises.
Yamaha Corp. was the one who played around with this concept first. Thus
LaRoy Edwards was one of the experimenters in this area and now supplies
most of the industry with pre-cut sound mufflers.
Tom Servinsky,RPT

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Cole" <tcole@cruzio.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: Silencing a piano


> Paul,
>
> Before you rediscover the wheel, you might talk to Laroy or Judi Edwards
> at 800-924-2114. They have sound reduction kits that they will make to
> fit, or maybe they'd be willing to discuss other ways to achieve the
> desired results.
>
> Tom Cole
>
> larudee@pacbell.net wrote:
> >
> > One of my customers is a piano teacher who lives in an apartment condo.
> > A new owner just moved into the apartment under her and is complaining
> > about the noise.  The piano is a 1919 5' Drachman grand.  I suggested
> > closing the area under the soundboard with foam rubber and keeping the
> > lid closed.  She wants me to get the material and do the work.  It's the
> > first request of this kind that I have had.  Any suggestions?
> >
> > Paul Larudee