CAUT

  • 1.  Vibration issues due to construction

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2026 17:08

    Cornell's Center for  Historical Keyboards will be getting a new neighbor; a new building is going up starting in a couple of weeks, and I'm being asked for data on how they may fare due to vibration caused by the construction.  I'm not very concerned about it, personally, but I thought I'd ask the group if anyone has experience with a similar situation.  Anecdotal information seems more likely to be found than any real empirical data.

    The new construction will not involve pile driving, they will use an augur instead.  There will be a seismograph in our space to monitor vibration, and the group that's doing the job cites other construction they've done in our area in similar close quarters.  The new building will have a wall only 12 feet from our exterior wall, and of course these are not modern pianos.  Right now there are about a dozen instruments in the space, some of which are replicas but most would be irreplaceable if any serious damage were to happen.  Does anyone care to comment?

     



  • 2.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Posted 02-23-2026 19:50

    Keeping good records is what helps historical data to be more relevant. Do what you can to document this process and topic.

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Anticipate possible issues with environmental pollution from the outside source. Pollution can come from sound pollution, sharing ventilation systems, foot traffic, doors or windows and outside contaminants from fresh air sources.

    Disruption in temperature and humidity would likely be the most influential source for piano condition. I think sound pollution would be the big elephant in the room.

    - Garret



    ------------------------------
    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    (336) 887-4266
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2026 20:10

    Ken -

    It seems fitting that, lacking expertise in any of the relevant areas - historical instruments; construction; physical or biological impacts of impacts/vibration - I should wade right in.   You are concerned about the effects of contruction vibration on the instruments.  You say you're not personally concerned for your own health, but is that based on data, either health-wise or structurally?  

    You say they're installing a seismograph in your space, but what are they looking for?  What would the data mean, potentially?  

    Interested in actual informed response.

    Also, what's the new building to be?



    ------------------------------
    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    (917) 589-2625
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Posted 02-23-2026 21:16

    I suggest you contact curators of significant collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.



    ------------------------------
    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2026 21:18

    I may be totally wrong however it seems to me odd to be concerned about vibrations in instruments designed to vibrate. I would be more concerned with the vibration of their surroundings.



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

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Member
    Posted 02-24-2026 10:26

    Sort of a tricky situation for you. It may be prudent to have the instrument removed to a safer conditioned environment that has good humidity control and monitoring. If the collection has a value get the lawyers to hammer out who pays for any damage or the moving costs. Vibration from trucks, earth moving equipment, jack hammers, steel girder work plus air pollution , fumes etc could be a problem Better to be proactive. You can try contacting the Sigal Music Museum here in Greenville SC because they have a collection of priceless instruments, I think the director is Tom Loud. 



    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Vibration issues due to construction

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-24-2026 12:33
    Tom Strange is the director at Sigal.




    Original Message