Pianos are creatures of humidity. I’m constantly talking to my customers about humidity, and it’s one of the biggest factors in tuning, regulation, and piano lifespan. It’s difficult to overstate the importance. Because the piano is largely wood, changes in relative humidity change wood moisture content, which changes dimensions and therefore regulation/tuning stability. Here in … 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
This article is intended to explain how Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver systems are priced and why installed costs can vary so widely from one piano to another. The goal here is to provide realistic, current pricing expectations, explain the factors that affect cost, and help piano owners understand what they are paying for when a … 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
Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver systems generate a lot of questions—how they work, whether you really need one, what “normal” looks like, and what to do when a light starts blinking. I’ve installed and serviced these systems on pianos throughout Maine, and this FAQ pulls together the answers I find myself giving over and over. I’m … Read more