[pianotech] Humidity Question

[Tony Caught]

A simple answer is Yes.  Pianos are built for a RH of 40% to 60% let say a
mean RH of 47% being the optimum.

If the RH is going to stay at 21% plus or minus 10% they should be stable
after acclimatisation but the sound may be a bit bright and the felts may be
a bit hard (caused by less moisture in the soundboard and felts etc.)

 

I have yet to see an average mentioned by anyone be a true guide you see the
average of 5% and 10% ant 90% is 35% but the swing between 5% and 90% is
85%.

 

Forget averages, look at the swing. That is what has to be eliminated.

 

My country is Australia, I work in places like Alice Springs (in the middle
of Australia with a climate much like what you are getting and the only
answer I have found is the full Dampp-Chaser climate control system at 45%
and with undercovers on grand pianos.

 

Hope this helps, oh yes, Dampp-chaser people are very helpful and can give
you the best advise there is. You know, go to the horses mouth.

 

Tony

 

 

Tony Caught

acaught at internode.on.net

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Steven Hopp
Sent: Sunday, 9 January 2011 12:58 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Humidity Question

 

Returning after the holiday break to a college I tech for I was surprised to
find lots of action problems.  All pianos are new and are Steinways and
Bostons.

 

The grands have screws which are loosening in wippen and hammer flanges.
Causing lots of clicking and clacking.  Loose enough to need an 1/8 of turn
to retighten and cause some hammers to rub each other.  Also on one Boston
grand hammers were blocking and very nearly blocking in tenor and treble
sections.

 

A K-52 is experiencing bobbling hammers on every note and lost motion seems
now to be excessive.

 

My question is:  Is our low humidity here in West Texas at about 20% RH on
average and the practice room humidity hovering around 21% capable of
causing such widespread fluctuation?

 

Is it expected with these new pianos that these regulation issues will come
up until they have truly acclimated to this new environment?  They have only
been here a few months.

 

For those of you who are Dammp Chaser installers and are experienced with
the results, would installation of this system be a good idea given the dry
climate?  

 

Thanks for the expert help.

 

Steven Hopp

Midland, TX

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