MMD > Archives > June 2005 > 2005.06.16 > 06Prev  Next


Effect Of Climate Change On Piano
By David Evans

Robert Lang wrote in the 05.06.5 MMD:

    "I am moving from Mississippi to New Mexico.  Does anyone have any
    advice on preparing pianos/harpsichords for the climate change
    (humidity from 100% to 0%)?  I have an automatic harpsichord and a
    square grand piano.  Any thoughts on preparing the soundboards?"

One is tempted to suggest either a.) selling them before you go, or b.)
burning them within six months of arrival.

Seriously, I think it would be essential to install humidification in
the building, since whatever you do to the instruments, you cannot
permanently hermetically seal them.  And it will not only be the
soundboards which will be affected, but also the wrest plank, casework,
veneers, etc.

We experienced similar problems in shipping our collection from England
to Canada.  We have installed a large commercial humidifier, which is
connected to the main water supply and main electricity and is
completely automatic, with a humidistat to control the operation.  This
has dramatically improved things, and you can set the humidity to
whatever level you require.  We have it set at 55%-60% relative
humidity, which seems about right.

Good luck with the move!

David Evans
British Columbia



(Message sent Thu, 16 Jun 2005 09:53:51 -0700 , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Change, Climate, Effect, Piano

Related by Subject:
2005.06.16.06 (This article) - Effect Of Climate Change On Piano
2016.07.15.05 - Orchestrion Bass Drum Effect
from Dave Vincent
2013.11.21.06 - Effect of Temperature on Tuning
from John Rhodes
2013.11.21.07 - Effect of Temperature on Tuning
from Bruce Clark
2013.11.19.02 - Effect of Temperature on Tuning
from Scotty Greene
2011.01.13.04 - Sound Effects "Toy Counter" for a Player Piano
from Greg Graham
2010.10.26.03 - Pete Wendling Rolls Played Without Jazz Effects
from Gary Watkins
2008.03.12.05 - Hazards and Effects of Ozone
from Craig Smith
2008.02.17.07 - Effect of Tracker Bar Hose Length on Repetition
from Jeffrey R. Wood
2008.02.14.04 - Effect of Tracker Bar Hose Length on Repetition
from John Page, UK
2008.02.13.07 - Effect of Tracker Bar Hose Length on Repetition
from Alan Erb
2008.02.13.08 - Effect of Tracker Bar Hose Length on Repetition
from Bill Chapman