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<DIV><FONT size=2>Hello,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>We have two harpsichords here at the =
university. Neither
gets used regularly, perhaps no more than a dozen times a year combined, =
but
when they are needed they need to be ready. Both were built =
by
Roberts & Brazier of Los Angeles and are about 24 years =
old.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Las Vegas is generally about 12-18 percent humidity =
year
round. That's VERY dry for any stringed instrument, =
nevertheless
being so consistent we rarely see problems. The most common issues =
involve
families moving into the area who brought their pianos from a much more =
humid
climate. You can see a "gray market" piano disintegrate right =
before
your eyes. Native pianos are remarkably stable.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>We only receive about four inches of rain a year, =
the driest
climate in the United States. Unfortunately when it DOES rain
it results in a lot of interesting things on our otherwise =
very dry
and stable instruments. Harpsichords are of course no exception, =
and being
far more sensitive than pianos the results can be
dramatic. Throughout the past week one of our =
harpsichords has
been involved in a stage performance with the theater department and has =
been
requiring daily tuning. The timing couldn't have been worse since =
we just
happen to be receiving one of those rare but significant rains over =
the last couple of days. The tuning has gone absolutely wild =
and
impossible to keep stable. Furthermore the soundboard has =
noticeably
bulged outward in the bottom bass bridge area and a substantial crack =
has
formed. The action has gone absolutely haywire.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I am curious about possibly installing a DC dryer
inside. Although it would normally never function on in
our typical 12-18 percent humidity, it would be able to
activate during those rare and sudden 90 percent spikes a few times =
per
year. </FONT><FONT size=2>Like most harpsichords the bottom is =
fully
enclosed with the exception of the periodic sound hole. I =
have
serious doubts that a DC installed externally below the enclosed case =
would be
of much use, it would have to be installed within the case. My =
concern
however is that this may produce new problems being in such =
close
proximity to the very thin soundboard.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Has anyone here ever attempted this and if so what =
were the
results??</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Las Vegas, NV</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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