Dampp-Chaser in action?

[Kenneth Jankura]

Do any of you put heater rods inside grand action cavities?

I've been seeing it on rental pianos from a particular dealer and  
wonder if anyone but them actually does this anymore.

I was called in on and emergency because the cord was bunched in the  
cavity jammed into the underlevers.

Then I was called back  two days later because of a rattle I couldn't  
discover, so I took out the rod which was jiffy-tied to the action  
brackets, just to be sure.

Last year, it was an outdoor concert with a minor action problem, but  
the the cord clamps were installed all along the beams,
and I couldn't pull the action!!! It was about 90 degrees and I had  
to let it go rather than deal with that mess.

These little things irritate me, and I think the potential for  
problems is greater than the benefits.

I want to talk to the dealer about it, but would like to know if  
there is a consensus among us technicians.

Thanks.

Ken Jankura RPT
Newville, PA