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Kenneth,
<p>I would caution against being overly critical, considering your lack
of experience with the systems. However, I will add that, depending
on where you live, a Dampp-Chaser system may indeed not be all that helpful.
<p>Let me give a couple examples, and you can see if you want to maintain
your position. Like you, I was very skeptical when I installed my
first system, but the woman was a music teacher (and a lawyer's wife),
and she was frustrated about how the piano wouldn't stay in tune.
I installed a system with the understanding that I would remove it and
refund every penny if she felt she had "thrown her money away." That
was nine years ago. Now she says, "You may use me as a reference.
There is no way I would ever do without the Dampp-Chaser system."
<p>We have a system on our home piano. Our talented pianist daughter,
who played the piano almost every day, was playing one time and thought
the piano sounded out of tune. She checked to see if the system was
unplugged, and sure enough, it was. She plugged it in again, and
the tuning improved markedly over the next week.
<p>Those are not an isolated responses. I could cite dozens of other
happy piano owners who have installed partial or complete Dampp-Chaser
systems. Would you try to convince them they "threw their money away?"
<p>To insinuate that those of us who sell Dampp-Chaser systems are just
promoting a scam to make more money is highly unfair. I have had
enough success (results, not money) with the systems that I would really
like to do a full-scale promotion to make sure that everyone knows they
are available. So why don't I? I guess I should, but I have
too much work already. I never suggest additional services or products
just to increase my bottom line. (Did you notice the "never?")
<p>Now about your reference to tight centers, I will agree that if the
piano has a sluggish action year-round, a Dampp-Chaser isn't going to solve
the problem. Perhaps there is a piano technician in your area who
is claiming the system will do something it cannot do. But here in
SE Pennsylvania, there are some pianos that get sluggish when the humidity
rises and work well again when the humidity falls. In those instances
I believe a heat bar and control can solve the problem. But frequently,
the condition is too severe, and center pin work is called for.
<p>Since you do not believe in the systems, I doubt you have installed
any and are therefore speaking from opinion or from very limited experience.
If that is the case, it would be wise to be less critical of us who see
Dampp-Chaser systems as a part of quality piano care.
<p>Regards,
<br>Clyde Hollinger, RPT
<br>Lititz, PA, USA
<p>KENNETH FINLAYSON wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Time and again I
have come across DC installed in a piano, and I feel the customer has thrown
his money away. What really was wrong was tight centre pins, or tight key
bushings.</font></font> <font face="Arial"><font size=-1>As RPT's,
our primary reason for existance is not to make money: but to ensure quality
piano care within the musical community. I ran across another DC recently
installed in a brand-new Samick. In my opinion, it was a waste of money,
which gave satisfaction only to the piano store who made a profit by installing
it.</font></font> <font face="Arial"><font size=-1>I never recommend
DC. I don't believe in them. I might someday, but it would have to be under
very extenuating circumstances.</font></font></blockquote>
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