Tuning pin and pin block problem

[JAMES DALLY]

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I service a C3 in a very similar venue as you describe.  I put on a =
bottom cover and it did help.  I haven't tried a string cover but I =
might.  I tune four times a year.  Jim Dally
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Gordon Holley=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 2:57 PM
  Subject: Tuning pin and pin block problem


  Hello List - TUNING PIN AND PIN BLOCK PROBLEM

  =20

  I have a church as a customer, with a Yamaha C3 Grand, SN710484, =
approximately 25 years old, which I have tuned frequently since Mar =
2002, 5 times in 2004.  This grand sits in a sanctuary that will seat =
500, a choir of 80, with a large organ, space for a 16 piece orchestra =
and a large pulpit stage area.

              This piano has been in the relative same space for 25 =
years.  The church does not have any moisture/humidity control =
provisions, does have a forced air heating system and air conditioning.

              The piano has a Dampp Chaser, installed some 12 to 15 =
years ago. However, on my first

  tuning appointment I checked the water level and evaporator pads, the =
water level was very low and the pads were dry and crusty.  After =
talking with the maintenance people, they changed the pads and have been =
very good about keeping the water level up.

              Facts:

  1.                  Even with the Dampp Chaser, the water evaporates =
in a day or two.=20

  2.                  The relative humidity cannot be raised above the =
32-33% mark.

  3.                  I suggested they purchase a vaporizer to =
supplement the Dampp Chaser.

  They purchased a vaporizer, kept the water level up, the unit ran 24 =
hours

  a day, and within a 2 week period the relative humidity taken directly =
under=20

  the piano never raised above 35%, and the fan motor burned out.

  Now we have a large plastic tub under the piano with water and the RH =
will not

  raise above 33-34%.

  4.                  I tuned the piano on December 4th, 2004 and was =
called back to tune the piano=20

  again last night, one month later, and the piano averaged 7 cents flat =
with wild unisons.

  5.                  MAIN CONCERN AND PROBLEM.

  I've noticed since March 2002, a problem with moving the tuning pins =
and the problem has worsened since then.  The pins will not easily move, =
first movement down with the pitch and then bringing the pitch back up, =
the sound from the pin in the pin block is like a finger snap or like a =
spike being pulled out of a piece of southern yellow pine. =20

  And even after getting the pin to release, and pulled above pitch, I =
can still get the snap sound and a jerk movement in attempting to pull =
the wire above pitch. Not an easy smooth movement.

  This problem is now at the point that at least 1/3 of the pins are =
affected this way.

  6.                  I've discussed a bottom cover, a skirt, keeping =
the piano closed during all non use=20

  periods.

              Questions:

  1.                  What has happened to the pin block?

  2.                  Will this condition, in the pin block, continue to =
worsen?

  3.                  Is there anything that can be suggested to correct =
this problem with the pin block?

  =20

  Many thanks,

  Gordon Holley, Associate Member, Indiana Chap 467

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