Damp chasers as Paul describes were standard on grands in the islands for decades, in moderate to high humidity environments they cause no problems regarding the pin block or loose screws etc.. 15 watt/amp is standard, they just get warm to the touch. The telescoping 48" model fits behind nearly all fall boards. Even if they don't completely solve the problem, they treat everything evenly and can improve it to a point that lubricant is sufficient. A string cover helps too. If the humidity gets down below around 35% you can get a humidistat that will turn it off.
It's pretty important to determine whether is was made in the US or Asia. If it's a polyester finish then most likely Asia, if it's lacquer then most likely American. The Asian pianos more often have a problem with poor plating on the center pins as has been discussed on this forum.
Verdigris is a particular problem, if you've done some repinning on it then you know if there's a dark greenish corrosion on the pins, if not, then it's the bushings themselves that are too tight and/or a problem with the pins. The verdigris is more intractable and can haunt you even after repinning as the verdigris can work itself into the felt.
As this instrument is used for commercial purposes the owners should be willing to invest in it or replace it. I'd ask if they have any other equipment that is 40 years old. Probably not, at least equipment with moving parts. They are paying you a premium to fix them a few at a time.
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Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-28-2022 19:08
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: 1982-3 (Young Chang?) Wurlitzer G452
Where there is high humidity for prolonged periods, I often install a damppchaser in the action cavity. Very low wattage, no more than 15 watts. I might use a heat gun to dry out the bushings on the hammer rail, or put the action in a box or under blankets with damppchasers or light bulbs overnight to drive the moisture out, but it will be in vain if you don't have a damppchaser system to keep the moisture from saturating it again. You can use a mix of water and alcohol to saturate the felt, which will initially cause the centers to freeze up, but when it dries they will be free again. I would try a ratio of 1 part water to 3 parts alcohol, and see how it does. I've used up to 50/50 in extreme cases. But again, the same amount of felt is still there, so if they puff up again with humidity, you're back to square one. Like Wim says, you may need to ream out the bushing felt, and of course repin. Room dehumidifiers are not necessarily the cure here. More like prevention. Wood and wool absorb moisture faster than they give it up, so just removing the water from the surrounding air isn't going to do much in the short term. Protek sometimes helps, sometimes not at all.
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Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 10-28-2022 18:30
From: Timothy Edwards
Subject: 1982-3 (Young Chang?) Wurlitzer G452
s/n 1720371 small grand
Was this piano subject to verdigris issues? Battling sluggish flanges for past few years. Customer wants to avoid the expense of repinning if possible. (Quite a number affected-- also some sluggish damper bushings). Have been using CLP at each visit to try and "nurse" it along. Seems to last 6 months or maybe a bit more. Suspect high humidity (60% RH at last visit), but thought I'd post the issue here before recommending an ongoing approach for future. Was confused by Pierce Atlas regarding what years Young Chang actually built these (or if these were subject to the verdigris issues). Located in a funeral home. Customer has (at last) installed a room dehumidifier in the room with the piano.
Thanks again in advance for the (always invaluable) input.
--- Tim
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Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
(740) 517-7636
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