Pianos are creatures of humidity. I’m constantly talking to my customers about humidity, as it’s the single biggest factor in tuning, regulation, and piano lifespan. It’s difficult to overstate the importance. Here in Maine, we see dry indoor air in the winter, sticky summers, and plenty of older houses that don’t make life easy for … Read more
A Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver System is one of the best investments a piano owner can make—but it’s also one of the easiest systems to forget about. When neglected or misunderstood, it can actually do more harm than good. I’ve received many panicked calls over the years! Here are the top ten mistakes I see … Read more
Why install a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver (PLS) system? I have a full article on Dampp-Chasers, how they work, and why you may very well benefit from one. If you’re uncertain whether a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver System is for you, start there! How much does Alex’s Piano Service LLC charge to install them? I’ve … Read more
The Yamaha HQ100 is a so-called “gray-market” upright. A gray market piano is one that’s authentically manufactured by Yamaha, but is not intended for sale in a specific geographic region or country. Instead, it’s sold as “gray market”—a market that exists outside the official distribution channels and is not authorized by the manufacturer. In this … Read more
During the winter months, many clients leave the state of Maine. Their piano is left in Maine, which means there’s nobody to fill the Dampp-Chaser! This is a solution. My best estimate is that this system can supply a Dampp-Chaser with sufficient water for three months during the winter, or perhaps longer. Normally, they have … Read more
What is a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver System? Pianos are creatures of humidity. Small changes in relative humidity can dramatically alter both the tuning and the lifespan of the instrument. If you’d like more information on climate control in the piano room, see my guide to piano humidity here. However, many customers struggle to keep … Read more