[pianotech] Hydroceel

[David Ilvedson]

With the tonal quality of a Kincaid, just getting a unison to sound good enough to move on to the next unison is a battle.   IMHO that is that main problem with perceived out of tuneness...it aint' worth doing much...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "paul bruesch" <paul at bruesch.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 4/30/2010 11:35:39 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hydroceel


>And I think the suggestion to make a pitch for a DamppChaser is quite
>valid... at least depending on the piano. I tuned a (probably 1950's)
>Kincaid spinet today. Owner wanted to know how to make it stay in tune
>better... her mom had told her to use mason jars... swore by 'em. I told her
>don't bother. I described the DC, how it varies in roughly a 5% RH range. I
>wasn't trying to sell her one, and she was NOT interested in spending ~$500
>on it, either.

>But now I just got to thinking the Hydroceel might be an adequate
>alternative to the mason jars for a, umm, lower-end piano like the Kincaid
>(made by the Grand Piano Co.)  As close as I can come to finding one online,
>it looks like the cost ~65Euros vs 500-600Euros for a DC unit.

>Others' thoughts?

>Paul Bruesch
>Stillwater, MN

>On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 10:15 AM, Zeno Wood <zeno.wood at gmail.com> wrote:

>> Garrett-
>>
>> Neither can I.  It seems they're widely used in Europe.  There's also
>> something similar for string instruments, the dampit (www.dampits.com),
>> which I've been told is very good.  Before anyone starts screaming, I'll say
>> that I'm NOT advocating the use of rubber or plastic tubing with sponges
>> inside as an effective method of compensating for low humidity in the
>> northeastern region of the United States, nor am I advocating the use of
>> beer (except applied internally), mason jars filled with water, or any other
>> precariously placed liquid as a means of protecting one's piano from the
>> ravages of low humidity.
>>
>> It's just interesting, that's all I'm saying, and a client wanted one.
>> Tha's all.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Zeno
>>
>>