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Hi Rob & List: I have
been servicing and tuning pianos some thirty-five plus years,
<BR>now <U>semi</U>-retired (which is perhaps one of the <U>finer</U> aspects
of piano tuning). During the course of my endeavors, I have installed
some sixty D.Chaser units.
<P>The geography of those D.C units is n.e. Colorado/western Nebraska.
<U>Never</U> have I seen a piano when D.C. equipped develop tuning pin
troubles. In addition I have seen several so equipped pianos, particularly
in upright models, where D.C.s <U>definitely</U> helped
<BR>the loose pin problem
<P>In addition for some nineteen years I have tuned part time in the Phoenix/Tempe
during the winter seasons where Jim Coleman families reside. Pianos
in homes equipped with <U>both</U> water and refrigeration air conditioners
are definitely aided by just a humidistat and one (or more) dampp chaser
dehumidifiers, even grands. Pianos so partially equipped eliminate
the problem adding water all the time. Thanks for 'listening' !!
<BR>
Clarence (Clancy) Stout - RPT
<BR>
Chandler, AZ & Holyoke, CO
<P>atonal@planet.eon.net wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>>
<BR>> atonal@planet.eon.net (Rob Kiddell) wrote:
<BR>> > Tuning pin tension remains fairly stable ie: tight, but I
<BR>> > don't attribute this to the Dampp-Chaser. I've worked with
<BR>> > enough Dampp-Chasers to know this isn't one of their attributes.
<BR>>
<BR>> I sure find they make a difference in tuning pin torque in uprights.
And
<BR>> D-C's new promotional video makes that claim unequivocally.
<BR>>
<BR>> Tim Keenan
<P>Hi Tim,
<P> What kinds of pianos (new
or used) and what types of conditions have
<BR>you seen improvements in? I've installed Dampp-Chaser 5PS systems
<BR>in brand new Baldwins (tight tight tight pins!) and newer Yamahas
<BR>(not as tight, but smooth), as well as Wurlitzers, Petrofs, and some
<BR>large, re-pinned turn-of-the-century rebuilt pianos (original
<BR>soundboards). I also routinely tune and maintain similar pianos,
<BR>newer and older, without Dampp-Chasers installed. I've yet to
<BR>attribute increases in tuning pin torque to installation of the
<BR>Dampp-Chaser. I don't find the DC equipped instruments 'tighter'
<BR>overall, I find variances in tension between similar pianos,
<BR>humidifier system or no. Here in Edmonton, we are a fairly
dry
<BR>prairie climate, and new instruments tend to lose moisture quickly.
<BR>Tuning, regulation, and tuning pin tension are all at the mercy of
<BR>the dry climate. Changes in tuning pin tension tend to happen
<BR>quickly, if at all. Yet I stand by my original statement: based
on
<BR>my experience installing and maintaining pianos and Dampp-Chasers,
<BR>they work extremely well on soundboard stability, and little, if at
<BR>all, on anything else. At least in this climate, anyway. BIG
NOTE:
<BR>I'm not discounting other points of view here, I'm keen to hear
<BR>what others are doing regarding DC installation and
<BR>maintainence.....maybe I'm missing something?!?!
<P>Regards,
<P>Rob Kiddell,
<BR>Registered Piano Technician, PTG
<BR>atonal@planet.eon.net</BLOCKQUOTE>
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