Pianotech

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Hi Geoff:
You want to get wool felt, at least 50% content. It will absorb water. It doesn't need to be too thick. Don't get the usual felt sold in yardage stores, it's synthetic. Close the lid and use it to cut out a paper pattern. Lay the pattern inside the piano, and cut off excess where it goes over the stretcher, usually about 4 or 5 inches. Use monofilament across the struts, or use magnets to stretch the material so it doesn't touch the strings. Get some Musicsorb packets and put them inside the cover, the stuff works great. You could probably use it inside the undercover too.
Good luck.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA



Original Message------

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom. 




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

The string covers don't muffle the sound very much. Half the sound goes out the bottom. Usually folks don't hear any difference, so no need to remove it. They DO work, especially in conjunction with DC system. When Tim Barnes was making covers, he found that a thick heavy material wasn't necessary for it to work. It works like any blanket- keeps the strings at even temperature and thus stabilizes the tuning. If you keep the bottom covered, it works even better. I've seen DC bars above the strings also, under the cover. Musicsorb makes it even better, no need for DC and the risk of too dry conditions in there.
At least this is my experience in San Diego near the water. Maybe in Hawaii it's different. YMMV.

Paul McCloud




Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789



Original Message------

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom. 




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

People don't set out on purpose to break things ... they can be reasoned with. Since different people keep entering the system, it's an ongoing task, but usually not impossible.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:19
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord.

Susan Kline,  05-31-2018 12:45

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

You sound like my wife (whom I love dearly) Susan. Always believing that people can change. I give up way too soon on people. 😕  Please, don't you ever give that up. We need you! 😀

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 14:16
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

People don't set out on purpose to break things ... they can be reasoned with. Since different people keep entering the system, it's an ongoing task, but usually not impossible.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:19
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord.

Susan Kline,  05-31-2018 12:45

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Susan --

This is a very large church. A huge staff. After the last run in, the large custodial staff finally decided that they would no longer move any of the pianos at all, ever again, due to the unintentional damage they kept doing. (Why they were EVER asked to move any of the pianos in the first place is a discussion that was I never able to have.) The full DC system on the Steinway D in the worship center was never being properly maintained, in spite of training, and had been repaired three or four times by then. Plus the heavy full to the floor cover had been deliberately disappeared, (not by custodial staff). The decision was finally made to remove the remains of the DC system and no longer store the Steinway piano in the worship center in the storage area under the stage and to just simply keep it on stage all the time. That, alone, helped a great deal. It no longer was being kept in cold dark basement storage and then brought into the light when needed. The environment in the worship center has been worked on and is no longer as unstable as it once was. The environment in the choir practice hall is also much better than it was. It's now like keeping the piano, in this case a medium size Kawai grand, in the cold dark storage under the stage, upstairs, but now it has lights and lots of people using the space. My plan is to salvage the dehumidifier from the Steinway and install it on the Kawai. It doesn't get moved more than a few feet at a time, and always by predictable people. I'm hoping that that, plus the top/bottom covers, will increase the usable time between tuning's. If not, well, they're always glad to see me. :-)

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 14:16
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

People don't set out on purpose to break things ... they can be reasoned with. Since different people keep entering the system, it's an ongoing task, but usually not impossible.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:19
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord.

Susan Kline,  05-31-2018 12:45

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

The custodian at my church permanently secured the DC plug into the wall outlet, with wires wrapped around screws into the block wall. I had previously complained to staff at length and put big ugly signs on the cords before that. Then at the end of one summer the piano was unplayable, and I mentioned it to him. His solution was perfect, and I wished I had talked to him first.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 19:17
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Susan --

This is a very large church. A huge staff. After the last run in, the large custodial staff finally decided that they would no longer move any of the pianos at all, ever again, due to the unintentional damage they kept doing. (Why they were EVER asked to move any of the pianos in the first place is a discussion that was I never able to have.) The full DC system on the Steinway D in the worship center was never being properly maintained, in spite of training, and had been repaired three or four times by then. Plus the heavy full to the floor cover had been deliberately disappeared, (not by custodial staff). The decision was finally made to remove the remains of the DC system and no longer store the Steinway piano in the worship center in the storage area under the stage and to just simply keep it on stage all the time. That, alone, helped a great deal. It no longer was being kept in cold dark basement storage and then brought into the light when needed. The environment in the worship center has been worked on and is no longer as unstable as it once was. The environment in the choir practice hall is also much better than it was. It's now like keeping the piano, in this case a medium size Kawai grand, in the cold dark storage under the stage, upstairs, but now it has lights and lots of people using the space. My plan is to salvage the dehumidifier from the Steinway and install it on the Kawai. It doesn't get moved more than a few feet at a time, and always by predictable people. I'm hoping that that, plus the top/bottom covers, will increase the usable time between tuning's. If not, well, they're always glad to see me. :-)

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 14:16
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

People don't set out on purpose to break things ... they can be reasoned with. Since different people keep entering the system, it's an ongoing task, but usually not impossible.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:19
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord.

Susan Kline,  05-31-2018 12:45

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

I've found the child proof outlet covers function well in these situations.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2018 07:48
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: String covers

The custodian at my church permanently secured the DC plug into the wall outlet, with wires wrapped around screws into the block wall. I had previously complained to staff at length and put big ugly signs on the cords before that. Then at the end of one summer the piano was unplayable, and I mentioned it to him. His solution was perfect, and I wished I had talked to him first.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow
Urbana, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 19:17
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Susan --

This is a very large church. A huge staff. After the last run in, the large custodial staff finally decided that they would no longer move any of the pianos at all, ever again, due to the unintentional damage they kept doing. (Why they were EVER asked to move any of the pianos in the first place is a discussion that was I never able to have.) The full DC system on the Steinway D in the worship center was never being properly maintained, in spite of training, and had been repaired three or four times by then. Plus the heavy full to the floor cover had been deliberately disappeared, (not by custodial staff). The decision was finally made to remove the remains of the DC system and no longer store the Steinway piano in the worship center in the storage area under the stage and to just simply keep it on stage all the time. That, alone, helped a great deal. It no longer was being kept in cold dark basement storage and then brought into the light when needed. The environment in the worship center has been worked on and is no longer as unstable as it once was. The environment in the choir practice hall is also much better than it was. It's now like keeping the piano, in this case a medium size Kawai grand, in the cold dark storage under the stage, upstairs, but now it has lights and lots of people using the space. My plan is to salvage the dehumidifier from the Steinway and install it on the Kawai. It doesn't get moved more than a few feet at a time, and always by predictable people. I'm hoping that that, plus the top/bottom covers, will increase the usable time between tuning's. If not, well, they're always glad to see me. :-)

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 14:16
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

People don't set out on purpose to break things ... they can be reasoned with. Since different people keep entering the system, it's an ongoing task, but usually not impossible.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:19
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord.

Susan Kline,  05-31-2018 12:45

But, that's the point of all this I thought. This IS the part that cannot be changed.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 12:45
From: Susan Kline
Subject: String covers

It seems to me that the weakest part of this problem, the part which might be changed, is the habit of custodial staff or whoever moves the piano to roll it over the DC cord. Some piano police work, a large sign on the cover, personally speaking to those who move the piano, and so on, might allow you to keep the DC system plugged in.

One church which destroyed a DC cord and plug had a church member mend it by putting on a tiny little lamp plug, with electrical tape. I pointed out that risking turning the church into a pile of cinders did not seem like an adequate fix. I explained that since the cord is wired into the humidistat, when the cord is ruined the whole humidistat has to be replaced. Then, as I replaced it, I bundled the cord with a twist tie and routed it along a front leg. I set it up so that the plug cannot reach the floor. It was taped to a piano truck strut and plugged into an extension cord. They undid it once, and I did it up again, while explaining why it has to be plugged in with an extension cord, because the extension cord is easy to replace.

I'm sure that keeping a DC system working, while not perfect, is still better than not using it at all. You'll need an ally at the church able to follow instructions if you use the whole system. Up here we get away with just drying rods and a humidistat, which greatly lessens the chores needed to keep it functional. Of course with climate change there's no guarantee that humidity will stay high enough and steady enough to get along without the tank of water, but so far it is.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff

Considering the temperature changes in that room, I honestly don't think strings covers and undercovers are going to solve the problems. Even a climate control system, along with the covers, will not help. 

I think you should just keep tuning, but suggest you come once a month. 

Good luck.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 11:54
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Wim --

> I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it.

I/we have. They have made the decision that it's less of a hassle to just bring me in every six weeks or so than it is to tackle the heart of the problem. They're willing to pay me. I'm happy for the work. They're happy with the results. Win, win. Except that it drives the key players nuts to have this piano out of tune, and not just a little bit, for a week or more at a time. There is no acceptable cure, and they get that. They know there is nothing wrong with the piano. I'm just looking for something to slow the process down a bit.

The piano lives in the basement choir rehearsal hall. Actually a potentially wonderful room. Depending on settings in some mystery location, sometimes the AC will run for weeks at a time leaving the room in the high '60s. Sometimes it runs on and off, like it probably should, but that leaves the room in the high '70s. Meanwhile about four evenings a week the choir rehearses down there for several hours. It's a fantastic choir. But when they gather like this it means the room is full with about 120 singing people. Humidity goes way up. It's crazy, I tells ya. Crazy. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 00:14
From: Willem Blees
Subject: String covers

Geoff

There are several companies that make both a string cover, and a snap on bottom cover. But I'm not sure if just that will solve the tuning stability problem. The bottom cover are used in conjunction with a full DC system. And I put string covers on pianos in Hawaii to keep the salt air from attacking the strings. Even with a bottom cover in place, the piano players are going to remove the string cover because it muffles the sound too much, and then will forget to put it back on. So you're back to square one.

I presume you've talked to the powers at the church about the tuning stability, and what's causing it. (If you haven't, maybe it's time to do that). But I'm afraid the tuning problem will not be solved with just covering the top and bottom.




------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

I might be able to add some direction for your needs. If you want to save a lot of money and create your cover, contact Troy Corp (troycorp@troy-corp.com) out of Chicago has the needed material. They are company that supplies Schaff with their fabric for string cover felt. You'll save quite a bit by cutting out the middle man.  They have it most colors.
The material to order is call Athletic Felt- which is 70% wool and 30%  rayon.  I simply lay the material over the lid and use that as the template. No need to make a paper cut out as you can see the outline of the lid. Then with very sharp scissors, simply open the scissors with the open sharp end of the scissors and cut. You'll get a surprisingly clean cut. 
I usually cut mine 1" wider than the lid so that you can tuck the ends into the gap between the plate and rim.  Tuck in along the stretcher areas as well.
Additionally, I take 20lb fishing line and tie about 2-3 struts to act as a bridge, especially over the bass string area. This keeps the felt from sagging onto the strings, and the tucked part help keeps everything tight. Plus it looks more finished.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

We've been making out own undercovers for the DC for the past few years.  Speaker cloth does the trick for the undercover.speaker cloth.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 07:01
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: String covers

I might be able to add some direction for your needs. If you want to save a lot of money and create your cover, contact Troy Corp (troycorp@troy-corp.com) out of Chicago has the needed material. They are company that supplies Schaff with their fabric for string cover felt. You'll save quite a bit by cutting out the middle man.  They have it most colors.
The material to order is call Athletic Felt- which is 70% wool and 30%  rayon.  I simply lay the material over the lid and use that as the template. No need to make a paper cut out as you can see the outline of the lid. Then with very sharp scissors, simply open the scissors with the open sharp end of the scissors and cut. You'll get a surprisingly clean cut.
I usually cut mine 1" wider than the lid so that you can tuck the ends into the gap between the plate and rim.  Tuck in along the stretcher areas as well.
Additionally, I take 20lb fishing line and tie about 2-3 struts to act as a bridge, especially over the bass string area. This keeps the felt from sagging onto the strings, and the tucked part help keeps everything tight. Plus it looks more finished.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff
Make your own string cover from Hobby Lobby rolls of felt and place 3 dowel rods across struts to hold off strings. All this can be purchased for less than $15.00. Purchase undercover speaker cloth from Schaff for about $35.00 and install.
I followed Charles Rempel’s advice and this works.
Don’t remove cover...doesn’t muffle sound.
BUT I feel you’re wasting time without the DampChaser System plus the heating and cooling system / humidity stabilized at a reasonable setting.
The DC wire can be easily secured to wall plug with electrical “ties” screwed into plug cover.
No suggestion for the clowns rolling over cord.
Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Thomas
Make sure that the material chosen is mostly wool. Most of the felt I've found at Hobby Lobby and those types of outfits, carry synthetic felt. Synthetic felt absorbs moisture, where as the wool repels moisture. Go with the later to get at the crux of the issue.   Wool not only protects the piano strings but allows the area to breath.  And unfortunately, the better wool grade comes with a much higher price.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 08:07
From: Thomas Black
Subject: String covers

Geoff
Make your own string cover from Hobby Lobby rolls of felt and place 3 dowel rods across struts to hold off strings. All this can be purchased for less than $15.00. Purchase undercover speaker cloth from Schaff for about $35.00 and install.
I followed Charles Rempel's advice and this works.
Don't remove cover...doesn't muffle sound.
BUT I feel you're wasting time without the DampChaser System plus the heating and cooling system / humidity stabilized at a reasonable setting.
The DC wire can be easily secured to wall plug with electrical "ties" screwed into plug cover.
No suggestion for the clowns rolling over cord.
Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Regarding the properties of wool, I found this:

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/875-wool-fibre-properties

It's interesting that it is simultaneously water vapor absorbent and water repellent, due to the lanolin content. Good for making string covers.

Paul McCloud
San Diego



Make sure that the material chosen is mostly wool. Most of the felt I've found at Hobby Lobby and those types of outfits, carry synthetic felt. Synthetic felt absorbs moisture, where as the wool repels moisture. Go with the later to get at the crux of the issue. Wool not only protects the piano strings but allows the area to breath. And unfortunately, the better wool grade comes with a much higher price.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky



Original Message------

Thomas
Make sure that the material chosen is mostly wool. Most of the felt I've found at Hobby Lobby and those types of outfits, carry synthetic felt. Synthetic felt absorbs moisture, where as the wool repels moisture. Go with the later to get at the crux of the issue.   Wool not only protects the piano strings but allows the area to breath.  And unfortunately, the better wool grade comes with a much higher price.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Paul
Thanks for sharing. That was so educational!

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2018 09:04
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: String covers

Regarding the properties of wool, I found this:

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/875-wool-fibre-properties

It's interesting that it is simultaneously water vapor absorbent and water repellent, due to the lanolin content. Good for making string covers.

Paul McCloud
San Diego



Make sure that the material chosen is mostly wool. Most of the felt I've found at Hobby Lobby and those types of outfits, carry synthetic felt. Synthetic felt absorbs moisture, where as the wool repels moisture. Go with the later to get at the crux of the issue. Wool not only protects the piano strings but allows the area to breath. And unfortunately, the better wool grade comes with a much higher price.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky



Original Message------

Thomas
Make sure that the material chosen is mostly wool. Most of the felt I've found at Hobby Lobby and those types of outfits, carry synthetic felt. Synthetic felt absorbs moisture, where as the wool repels moisture. Go with the later to get at the crux of the issue.   Wool not only protects the piano strings but allows the area to breath.  And unfortunately, the better wool grade comes with a much higher price.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Thomas and Paul , thanks for that info. on string covers. I am now in the process of replacing this felt with 100% wool covers even though we improved the musical performance of the pianos. We’re still learning here in Alabama.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Paul
Thanks for sharing. That was so educational!

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Let me add some 30yrs of experience in living S. Florida, where dealing with salt and humidity combined, plus annoying hurricanes, provides plenty  of threats to the piano.  I've seen various approaches with regards to protecting the piano in terms of fabric selection.  But when a hurricane hits to our area, which one year we had 2 direct hits with eyes going over my home in 3 weeks, I've got to see first hand how well each of these string cover materials protect.  
One residence was located on the top penthouse of a condo building. The entire roof of the building was ripped off by a tornado. The entire contents of the residence was covering in 4" of ocean sludge ( crabs, fish, seaweed) that pelted the residence. I was finally allowed access to the building some 3 weeks later. Amazingly, the wool blend cover had protected the strings amazingly well.  The action area, that was toast. But this was a good example of how the string cover material can protect in extreme situations.  
For a normal home use where AC is the normal, this material work extremely well when in concert with a dampp chaser system.   Now on the other hand, the pianos I was called to inspect after the same hurricane that had the synthetic felts, those instruments were completely ruined.
So the point is, whether it's 100% wool, or a high wool blend ( like what Schaff sells- 70% wool, 30%rayon) you'll be getting very good protection due to lanolin present in fabric.  If you go through Troy Corp, you can get the costs down to a more reasonable amount.  Make sure that you ask for the Athletic Wood blend.  They use this for athletic sports banners, as well as for other uses.
(800) 888-2400    troycorp@troy-corp.com

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2018 09:53
From: Thomas Black
Subject: String covers

Thomas and Paul , thanks for that info. on string covers. I am now in the process of replacing this felt with 100% wool covers even though we improved the musical performance of the pianos. We're still learning here in Alabama.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Paul
Thanks for sharing. That was so educational!

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Thomas, thanks. Got it.
Contacting Troy Monday!

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Let me add some 30yrs of experience in living S. Florida, where dealing with salt and humidity combined, plus annoying hurricanes, provides plenty  of threats to the piano.  I've seen various approaches with regards to protecting the piano in terms of fabric selection.  But when a hurricane hits to our area, which one year we had 2 direct hits with eyes going over my home in 3 weeks, I've got to see first hand how well each of these string cover materials protect.  
One residence was located on the top penthouse of a condo building. The entire roof of the building was ripped off by a tornado. The entire contents of the residence was covering in 4" of ocean sludge ( crabs, fish, seaweed) that pelted the residence. I was finally allowed access to the building some 3 weeks later. Amazingly, the wool blend cover had protected the strings amazingly well.  The action area, that was toast. But this was a good example of how the string cover material can protect in extreme situations.  
For a normal home use where AC is the normal, this material work extremely well when in concert with a dampp chaser system.   Now on the other hand, the pianos I was called to inspect after the same hurricane that had the synthetic felts, those instruments were completely ruined.
So the point is, whether it's 100% wool, or a high wool blend ( like what Schaff sells- 70% wool, 30%rayon) you'll be getting very good protection due to lanolin present in fabric.  If you go through Troy Corp, you can get the costs down to a more reasonable amount.  Make sure that you ask for the Athletic Wood blend.  They use this for athletic sports banners, as well as for other uses.
(800) 888-2400    troycorp@troy-corp.com

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Tom --

Do you happen to know what Troy Corp is calling "Athletic Felt" on their website? I found a collection of felts but most were labeled either just plain felt or something called Scrim Felt.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2018 07:50
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: String covers

Let me add some 30yrs of experience in living S. Florida, where dealing with salt and humidity combined, plus annoying hurricanes, provides plenty  of threats to the piano.  I've seen various approaches with regards to protecting the piano in terms of fabric selection.  But when a hurricane hits to our area, which one year we had 2 direct hits with eyes going over my home in 3 weeks, I've got to see first hand how well each of these string cover materials protect.
One residence was located on the top penthouse of a condo building. The entire roof of the building was ripped off by a tornado. The entire contents of the residence was covering in 4" of ocean sludge ( crabs, fish, seaweed) that pelted the residence. I was finally allowed access to the building some 3 weeks later. Amazingly, the wool blend cover had protected the strings amazingly well.  The action area, that was toast. But this was a good example of how the string cover material can protect in extreme situations.
For a normal home use where AC is the normal, this material work extremely well when in concert with a dampp chaser system.   Now on the other hand, the pianos I was called to inspect after the same hurricane that had the synthetic felts, those instruments were completely ruined.
So the point is, whether it's 100% wool, or a high wool blend ( like what Schaff sells- 70% wool, 30%rayon) you'll be getting very good protection due to lanolin present in fabric.  If you go through Troy Corp, you can get the costs down to a more reasonable amount.  Make sure that you ask for the Athletic Wood blend.  They use this for athletic sports banners, as well as for other uses.
(800) 888-2400    troycorp@troy-corp.com

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2018 09:53
From: Thomas Black
Subject: String covers

Thomas and Paul , thanks for that info. on string covers. I am now in the process of replacing this felt with 100% wool covers even though we improved the musical performance of the pianos. We're still learning here in Alabama.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Paul
Thanks for sharing. That was so educational!

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

That's a good question. All that I know is that when I call them, I ask for the Athletic felt ( used  for banners, etc), and the material is delivered. You might want to just give them a call and go from there.  If they have problems finding, feel free to use my name ( or company name- Pianocrarft of the Treasure Coast) and I'm sure that can get you set up.
  Seems to me they are charging around $13-15 per yard., so if the client is on a budget, this is definitely the way to go.
And here's more food for thought. The material that is normally wasted from the winged end cut out gets recycled into my collection of end pieces. I've found a talented seamstress who makes me new covers with my cut out pieces. It usually takes 3 of the cut-off pieces to recreate another cover and I sell so those for a discounted price. The 3 seams are clean as a whistle and barely visible.  Another way of stretching the dollar and being creative by using recycling those cut-out pieces.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2018 12:47
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

Tom --

Do you happen to know what Troy Corp is calling "Athletic Felt" on their website? I found a collection of felts but most were labeled either just plain felt or something called Scrim Felt.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2018 07:50
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: String covers

Let me add some 30yrs of experience in living S. Florida, where dealing with salt and humidity combined, plus annoying hurricanes, provides plenty  of threats to the piano.  I've seen various approaches with regards to protecting the piano in terms of fabric selection.  But when a hurricane hits to our area, which one year we had 2 direct hits with eyes going over my home in 3 weeks, I've got to see first hand how well each of these string cover materials protect.
One residence was located on the top penthouse of a condo building. The entire roof of the building was ripped off by a tornado. The entire contents of the residence was covering in 4" of ocean sludge ( crabs, fish, seaweed) that pelted the residence. I was finally allowed access to the building some 3 weeks later. Amazingly, the wool blend cover had protected the strings amazingly well.  The action area, that was toast. But this was a good example of how the string cover material can protect in extreme situations.
For a normal home use where AC is the normal, this material work extremely well when in concert with a dampp chaser system.   Now on the other hand, the pianos I was called to inspect after the same hurricane that had the synthetic felts, those instruments were completely ruined.
So the point is, whether it's 100% wool, or a high wool blend ( like what Schaff sells- 70% wool, 30%rayon) you'll be getting very good protection due to lanolin present in fabric.  If you go through Troy Corp, you can get the costs down to a more reasonable amount.  Make sure that you ask for the Athletic Wood blend.  They use this for athletic sports banners, as well as for other uses.
(800) 888-2400    troycorp@troy-corp.com

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2018 09:53
From: Thomas Black
Subject: String covers

Thomas and Paul , thanks for that info. on string covers. I am now in the process of replacing this felt with 100% wool covers even though we improved the musical performance of the pianos. We're still learning here in Alabama.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Paul
Thanks for sharing. That was so educational!

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

There are lots of situations like this where the Dampp-Chaser system just isn't practical. This is a good example for using MusicSorb. I've had great results from it. The string cover sounds like a great idea too. I've done something that I think accomplishes the same thing. Put weather stripping around the rim of the piano and create a sealed-in area. You can even make a music stand that sits on top of the piano and keep it totally closed up, and make sure it's covered up when it's not in use.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff,

String covers are great.  They protect the strings and soundboard and they create a micro environment for better tuning stability.  Why be cheap and cut out a pattern of wool felt?  Order professional covers from Clark Dawson.  The wholesale cost is around $200 and you can have them shipped directly to the client and charge $400.  Over the life of a piano, these covers will increase the resale value by $4000! 

High quality grands deserve high quality string  covers.

Carl

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:06
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

There are lots of situations like this where the Dampp-Chaser system just isn't practical. This is a good example for using MusicSorb. I've had great results from it. The string cover sounds like a great idea too. I've done something that I think accomplishes the same thing. Put weather stripping around the rim of the piano and create a sealed-in area. You can even make a music stand that sits on top of the piano and keep it totally closed up, and make sure it's covered up when it's not in use.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

i am with Carl on this. the covers from Dawson are worth the money , great material, custom fit. they have sleeves which hold wooden slats to support the cover over the strings and damper heads and an edging with designs. you can have them send you samples of the colors and edge stitches. i have installed many, many of them here. they do not dampen the sound nor do they interfere with the action. they will save the piano from the moisture, dust, dirt and even objects like pencils. the biggest problem is insuring the users keep them in the piano.

why spend time buying cloth, cutting it, then trying to suspend the cover properly ? show who ever has to approve the purchase pictures of rusty strings and ask them if they would rather pay a few hundred or restring the piano for a few thousand

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2018 15:32
From: Carl Lieberman
Subject: String covers

Geoff,

String covers are great.  They protect the strings and soundboard and they create a micro environment for better tuning stability.  Why be cheap and cut out a pattern of wool felt?  Order professional covers from Clark Dawson.  The wholesale cost is around $200 and you can have them shipped directly to the client and charge $400.  Over the life of a piano, these covers will increase the resale value by $4000!

High quality grands deserve high quality string  covers.

Carl

------------------------------
Carl Lieberman
RPT
Venice CA
310-392-2771

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:06
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

There are lots of situations like this where the Dampp-Chaser system just isn't practical. This is a good example for using MusicSorb. I've had great results from it. The string cover sounds like a great idea too. I've done something that I think accomplishes the same thing. Put weather stripping around the rim of the piano and create a sealed-in area. You can even make a music stand that sits on top of the piano and keep it totally closed up, and make sure it's covered up when it's not in use.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

I've sold the Dawson covers, and also made my own, with battens, fancy stitches, etc. Unless you're set up to do it and are efficient in your work, stick to your day job. Dawson covers are very nice, and reasonable cost. Turnaround time depends upon their work load. They have most patterns in stock.
Having said that, if the customer is cash-poor, or you want to help them with a reduced cost, making your own simple cover without getting fancy is far better than nothing. Just don't use the synthetic felt because it will trap moisture underneath. At least there will be something to keep the strings from rusting out (and spending thousands replacing them). I find people generally leave them in. In an institutional setting, all bets are off.
Paul McCloud
San Diego


i am with Carl on this. the covers from Dawson are worth the money , great material, custom fit. they have sleeves which hold wooden slats to support the cover over the strings and damper heads and an edging with designs. you can have them send you samples of the colors and edge stitches. i have installed many, many of them here. they do not dampen the sound nor do they interfere with the action. they will save the piano from the moisture, dust, dirt and even objects like pencils. the biggest problem is insuring the users keep them in the piano.

why spend time buying cloth, cutting it, then trying to suspend the cover properly ? show who ever has to approve the purchase pictures of rusty strings and ask them if they would rather pay a few hundred or restring the piano for a few thousand

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357



Original Message------

i am with Carl on this. the covers from Dawson are worth the money , great material, custom fit. they have sleeves which hold wooden slats to support the cover over the strings and damper heads and an edging with designs. you can have them send you samples of the colors and edge stitches. i have installed many, many of them here. they do not dampen the sound nor do they interfere with the action. they will save the piano from the moisture, dust, dirt and even objects like pencils. the biggest problem is insuring the users keep them in the piano.

why spend time buying cloth, cutting it, then trying to suspend the cover properly ? show who ever has to approve the purchase pictures of rusty strings and ask them if they would rather pay a few hundred or restring the piano for a few thousand

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Here's an update on the Troy Corp, for those interested in cutting their own string cover felts.
Troy Corp has been bought out by Midwest Textiles , the number remains the same (800) 888-2400
The article number is : AFP-15 ( for Black )

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2018 13:06
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: String covers

There are lots of situations like this where the Dampp-Chaser system just isn't practical. This is a good example for using MusicSorb. I've had great results from it. The string cover sounds like a great idea too. I've done something that I think accomplishes the same thing. Put weather stripping around the rim of the piano and create a sealed-in area. You can even make a music stand that sits on top of the piano and keep it totally closed up, and make sure it's covered up when it's not in use.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & Easy Piano Tuner user

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Since we are on the topic of string covers:
Does anyone have a flier or promotional literature that you use to promote string covers and their use?

I wrote one up myself, but wondered if others have one or if there is a very good flier from one of the manufacturers.

I would be happy to share mine if anyone is interested.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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No, I don't have a brochure. My customers trust me to give them the right information. 

I bought Chuck Behm's promotional brochures several years ago, and I have copies in my car. I gave them out a few times, but most of the customers who got one had me do the work, anyway. Now, I forget to give them to customers because, again, most of them agree to my recommendations of getting the work done. For the few who wanted to wait, or didn't want to get the work done, probably wouldn't have gotten the work done even if they had gotten the brochures. 





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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 02:34
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: String covers

Since we are on the topic of string covers:
Does anyone have a flier or promotional literature that you use to promote string covers and their use?

I wrote one up myself, but wondered if others have one or if there is a very good flier from one of the manufacturers.

I would be happy to share mine if anyone is interested.

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Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170

Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2018 23:16
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: String covers

I would like to make a string cover and bottom cover for a church piano, mostly to see if I can create a minor environmental boundary between the soundboard and the room the piano lives in. Instability is an issue due to how the AC is set up, and which is out of our control, and how the room is used. A Dampp-Chaser system, or anything that needs to be plugged in, is not an option. A full piano cover that goes to the floor is also not an option. Yes, they would do the trick, and we've tried them both. Problem is custodial service that repeatedly destroys the power cord by rolling the piano over it, or yanking it out of the wall from a distance without knowing it, plus the players removing the cover and leaving it off because it's too difficult to deal with. I'm thinking top and bottom covers might help, if only a little bit. I believe most string covers are made of some kind of wool felt. What kind of felt should I use and how thick should it be? Again, I'm not expecting a string cover to be a solution. I'm just looking for it to help a little bit.

Thanks --

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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