[pianotech] tuning pin tightness

[William Monroe]

And, at the last Convention and Institute in GR, Kent Webb re-iterated that
position.  Essentially saying that S&S recommends controlling the room,
period.  If that can't be done satisfactorily (ever) DC units are helpful
and positive if installed properly.  S&S will always place caveats on these
things, like the, "if installed properly" one.  It's a Cover Your Own
position as S&S doesn't want to even remotely suggest they would be liable
for anything untoward........yada, yada.  If in question, and if someone at
the local S&S dealer suggests otherwise, encourage them to call Kent in NY
and encourage your clients to do the same.  And, I would suggest Kent as the
contact.  I know personally of others in NY who don't happily follow that
position, and would add ambiguity to the conversation.

William R. Monroe



On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 5:44 PM, David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> >From Damppchaser's website:   Manufacturer's recommending their product...
>
> Steinway & Sons
>
> "The installation of a Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control System can, in our
> opinion, provide a degree of climate control for the piano which may not
> otherwise be attainable."
>
> Sounds like you ran into a loose cannon...he may have been talking about
> under the pinblock...?
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "William Truitt" <surfdog at metrocast.net>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Received: 1/31/2010 3:37:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] tuning pin tightness
>
>
> >Hi David:
>
> >
>
> >I agree with you that the 15 watt damp chaser bar under the block is
> unlikely to
> >destroy it, and would perhaps to some degree loosen the pins in a
> desirable fashion.
> > How much and whether that would be enough is another question.  My point
> was
> >that such use would not necessarily be viewed favorably by a manufacturer.
>  I recall
> >a few years ago I had installed a d. c. unit in a Steinway in a church
> that had
> >significant and tuning destabilizing issues due to excessive humidity and
> then
> >dryness.  It quieted the pitch movement down as expected.  Some time later
> in an
> >unrelated matter, the church music director had a conversation with the
> area
> >Steinway dealer, who advised  her to remove it because it would damage the
> piano,
> >and told her that it was Steinway’s position that these units did more
> harm than
> >good if improperly installed.  Therefore, they advised against the use of
> them.  I
> >thought that was idiotic, but that seemed to be their official position.
>
> >
>
> >I agree with you on more radical (actually more sensible) solutions if not
> under
> >warranty.  Les will have a selling job to the manufacturer , to be sure.
>  Still the
> >effort should be made; nothing ventured, nothing gained.  He needs to
> charge
> >appropriately for his time ASAP, for sure.  Or decline to work on the
> piano in the
> >future.
>
> >
>
> >Will
>
>
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