While felt, polyester pr fabric may all look good and collect dust they will not have the moisture absorption that 100% wool offers. The woolen string cover does a tremendous job of collecting dirt, dust, debris but is also a moisture absorber. This is especially important in areas such as the south where relative humidity can get extremely high or above the "safety zone" causing string rust and other issues. A customers Kawai grand was saved when a second floor whirlpool tub drain leaked on the piano below. The Dawson cover absorbed all the water with none of it getting on the strings, plate, block, hammers or soundboard.
If your ac goes down here in the summer for more than a few days, moisture can really damage a pianos strings . I had a customer who made a string cover out of fabric however the moisture got into the action and most of the piano hammers came unglued on the underside due to glue failure .
Dampp-chasers are a good idea under the piano to help with moisture deflection and wood stabilization. They are not recommended for install across the strings although I have seen and removed such rogue installs.
------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2022 10:00
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: String cover
The fleece cover is fine for dirt, etc., but doesn't hold water. If it's
damp under the cover, it will hold it there and rust the strings.?? I've
seen some here in San Diego that had that happen. The wool content
should be at least 50%, in my opinion.?? I used to include that
Music-sorb in pouches under the cover where it was very near the ocean.??
It's a lot more expensive now, but it does work.?? If you had Music Sorb
under there, you could get away with synthetic material.?? Or maybe a
damppchaser.
Paul McCloud
Original Message:
Sent: 4/22/2022 8:22:00 AM
From: Gary Messling
Subject: RE: String cover
I have a customer who made a simple string cover using inexpensive fleece material, I'm pretty sure it's polyester. I don't notice any obvious problems or difference from other pianos except the soundboard stays pretty clean. Does anyone know why using fleece is a bad idea? Thanks.
Original Message:
Sent: 4/21/2022 10:10:00 AM
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: RE: String cover
I thought Dawson was too expensive and did the research, bought a nice, heavy weight 100% wool cloth. A friend did the sewing, I made the pattern. It came out really nice and it cost about as much as buying it from Dawson. You get what you pay for and next time they get my business. So don't think it's cheaper doing it yourself. The only cool thing about doing it myself, was the variety of color choices from the wool company. Also, due to the standard bolt dimensions, my cover had a seam in it. Not a problem, but it would have been nice to have one piece of wool.
Stewart Freedman
Freedman Piano Service
Original Message:
Sent: 4/20/2022 5:35:00 PM
From: Martin Snow
Subject: RE: String cover
I heard back from Jessie, their company noted above does now make string covers $150 for pianos up to 6', and $175 for larger pianos.
www.snowpianos.com
------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030
Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2022 14:36
From: Martin Snow
Subject: String cover
Well Dawson String Covers appear now to be the only listing in the Journal and they have taken over Edwards Covers but their prices start at $420! I'd make your own , maybe I should encourage my favorite piano cover company covers by Alicia to start making string covers ,it's family business Alicia her husband and son Jesse In NJ used to make all the covers for Apsco, I've used them for years great covers and excellent pricing.
www.snowpianos.com.
------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030
Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2022 12:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: String cover
Where's a good place to get them these days?
------------------------------
Regards,
Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------