I have been using LASCAR USB loggers with lots of success. However I was given the job to keep and maintain a Yamaha C3 in a small chapel in a local fishing village. Built in 1849 the Chapel has historical significance but the environment is rough. Since the day it was delivered it has had a 100% wool string cover by Dawson and on July 4th I installed a full Dampp Chaser. Despite sky high humidity and temps this summer the piano has been incredibly stable . I temporarily leased a remote monitor used in the flooring industry. This gave me constant remote readings . Since the piano is 50 miles away I would email or text one of the pianists who would contact a church member to go adjust the thermostat. I am hoping to get the support to purchase some full time de-humidifiers with pumps and drain hoses
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2024 07:42
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Steinway B top section stability
James.
Thank you for the suggestion. I do have data loggers in many of our critical
locations and in an older building where we have several pianos. A reminder
to place one in the room in question is appreciated.
While loggers are not always perfectly in sync with readings I get from facilities equipment,
they are always very close. I also only get their alerts when the RH is outside of
my specified range and when it returns. The building is fairly new with modern
equipment, and the room is in the middle of a row of studios, so confidence in the
readings is high. I haven't received facilities alerts from that area of the building
even as I have reviewed my emails from over the winter break.
Best,
Dave
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Original Message:
Sent: 1/30/2024 11:55:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Steinway B top section stability
Do yourself a favor and purchase a few data loggers to collect the temp and r/h at the piano. You need to collect readings over a period of time 24 x 7 at least a week. You will be surprised what graphs show happens in the middle of the night, over weekends and at odd hours. A facility wide report is useless as are one off readings at the time of a tuning. The exception is if things are going on when you are there such as the ac is down, heat is on or there are heavy rains.
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2024 11:57
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Steinway B top section stability
Thanks, Wim.
Normally, that would make sense, but not in this case. The rest of the piano was quite close,
with only the entire top section being out. ~10 cents is huge in these studios, but I don't think it's environmental.
None of the pianos in adjacent rooms have behaved this way.
I have a suspicion that it is related to what's going on with the string breakage. Most of our B's are around 12 years old.
This one is a 1998 build. I don't know how the pianos were taken care of before I got here and prior to the new Music Center
in 2013.
But thanks for your suggestion. I'll see if I can get a temp/RH report from facilities, but I don't expect to see
much deviation. We get alerts when RH is <50% and >40%. I have received none.
Dave
Original Message:
Sent: 1/30/2024 10:29:00 AM
From: Wim Blees
Subject: RE: Steinway B top section stability
Dave
Did you tune it in October? 10 cents flat is not a concern, especially considering the extreme weather we've had since then. If the problem persists, and you find the top section flat again in May or June, then you might have a problem. But for now, even though there is adequate climate control in the room, I would contribute the change to the weather.
Wim
Original Message:
Sent: 1/30/2024 10:18:00 AM
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Steinway B top section stability
Hello, all. I tuned a 26 year old model B S&S this morning and found that the top section was about 10c flat. The rest of the piano was close. Last tuning was in October. Pins do not feel overly loose. No issues with bridge or soundboard. Hammers are a little worn but not bad. A few strings had been replaced before I came and one broke during the tuning in October. The building has very stable climate control. I have plans to re-string the top section and dress the capo, but that is on the back burner for now. Any thoughts on what else might be going on here?
TIA - Dave
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Dave Conte, RPT
Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
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