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I like lid up on my Steinway A, but want to protect strings. Who are best sellers with best product. Thanks, S
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Try here: http://aftune.angelfire.com/edstrcvr.htmlYou can also google others. One question I have is how these things affect sound. Anybody in the know? Norbert
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Edwards String Covers went out of business. I was referred to this company, but have not ordered one yet. http://www.dawsonstringcovers.com/Norbert, they do dampen the treble energy a bit. as well as make the piano a bit softer sounding. They are great for keeping the dust etc off the soundboard and strings.
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If you don't want to spend $350+ plus, you can make your own.
I did that for my 6' piano - ordered a sheet of 100% wool felt in a color that matched the Bechstein green (close enough). Cut it to size (which can be tricky), and wrapped several wood dowels with the leftovers to serve as supports that sit on the harp and keep the cover from sagging onto the strings. The felt sheet was about $100 (not many places offer 100% wool felt in such large sizes). Dowels were, I don't know - $1.29 each?
From what I've read, 100% wool is essential - felt with acrylics can trap moisture.
To answer Norbert's question, it does soften the highs somewhat, but it's not like playing with the lid closed. I've gotten used to the sound....sometimes I take it off, but usually I leave it on.
As an added bonus...I also have a Dampp-Chaser (heater bars only), and have an undercover of speaker cloth. Between those two items and the string cover, my piano's tuning stability has increased dramatically - they create a stable microclimate for the soundboard and strings. Now that I've had this setup for a while, I can't imagine having an expensive grand (that gets played) without that combination. It also keeps the inside clean. I strongly recommend it.
Of course, the downside of DIY, is that you don't get the embroidery (well, I certainly don't have that talent).
Steve
Steve 1990 C. Bechstein M-180
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I have an Edwards string cover; I'm sorry to read that they went out of business. From all that I have read about string covers, it is important that they be made of 100% wool.
There is an every so slight attenuation of the higher frequencies with a string cover, in my experience, but I am so accustomed to the sound my piano produces with it that I like the sound less with the string cover removed.
Because my piano is the focal point of a large living room, I don't completely close it when I'm not playing it. I may close the lid, but I leave the front top turned back and the music desk up. It's nice - even though you don't see the inside of the piano - to know that the interior remains clean and free of dust.
Regards,
BruceD - - - - - Estonia 190
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Cut it to size (which can be tricky), Just use tailors paper ( I don't know the exact translation in english ) and painters tape to hold it by the rim of the piano. Mark the profile of the inside of the rim with a marker over the paper and you have the shape.
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Cut it to size (which can be tricky), Just use tailors paper ( I don't know the exact translation in english ) and painters tape to hold it by the rim of the piano. Mark the profile of the inside of the rim with a marker over the paper and you have the shape. When Edwards was in business, they had templates for many brands and sizes of pianos. The cover I ordered from them fits my Estonia 190 precisely and thus didn't require any measuring on my part. This may not be the case with other manufacturers. Regards,
BruceD - - - - - Estonia 190
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I ordered from them, they are great. I agree with the other feedbacks regarding a reduction in the treble energy, not necessarily an issue if the room is bright. However the cover effect if far less than the difference between playing with the lid open or close, IMHO. Cheers, Co
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Not sure why 100% wool is important. I've made string covers out of lots of different material over the years, from cheap acrylic felt to expensive suiting type material. All have worked with no noticeable difference in moisture issues.
There are some attenuation issues with a cover but certainly less than a closed lid attenuates. Plus the added advantage that no one sets anything on top of the piano if the lid is up.
Dale Fox Registered Piano Technician Remanufacturing/Rebuilding
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I've mostly ordered from Dawson and never had anything but fast, beautiful results and friendly, personal service. Very highly recommended!
Mark Dierauf, RPT NH Pianos Piano technician & rebuilder since 1978 www.nhpianos.com
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Another reference for Dawson String Covers. They do have many piano templates already made, and we've made quite a few templates for them for newer piano models. Great product, nice people. Making a cover out of other materials would still be a big improvement over uncovered strings. I cannot argue with Dale's specific experience, but I think that 100% wool is of definite benefit for its superior hygroscopic properties as a moderating force against humidity swings. I cannot name the other property, but I believe natural fibers, like wool, trap more salts and mineral content from moisture.
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What's next, felt covers for keyboards? Oh wait...Speaking purely for myself, as I usually do (LOL), it's hard for me to wrap my mind around any possible need for a string cover, and a keyboard cover, really? Are they for those poor unfortunate soles who own a piano without a fallboard? These covers don't offer complete coverage of the keyboard with the fronts of the keys exposed, but I guess someone in the industry has to make money somewhere... ... now, regardless, you insist on a nice red/black/blue felt keyboard cover emblazened all fancy shmancy nancy like with your pie-annie's name in gold embroidery...relaxing after a grueling days work at the Smoothie Shop, wearing your 19th century silk Japanese smoking jacket and with a glass of 1858 Croizet Cuvée Léonie cognac in your hand, you intently stare at your cover's inherent beauty and recall its $25 cost (plus shipping), but you want to play, so you remove the cover, roll or fold it up, and find a home for it. When you're done playing, you locate it, unroll/unfold it, lay it out, and once again ponder its inherent beauty, until of course you realise it's just shed the dust it kept out of the keyboard back all over the keyboard while you were putting it back on, and the whole idea now seems rather counterproductive... Me? I keep the fallboard closed, and I open it when I wish to play; when I'm done playing I let some air get to it for a short while to allow any accumulated moisture to evaporate, then I close it up until next time. Pure rocket surgery! I do the very same with the lid; it's always fully closed until I wish to play. If I wanted a showpiece I'd buy an ACME® products Louis XIV piano prop! Besides, I paid for particular voicing of my piano, so why would I then change my pianos accoustics, however slight, by adding a felt cover over its strings? To me it makes about as much sense as wrapping a wool scarf around the body and F holes of a violin to keep the main body free of dust; for me both are totally unnecessary and a complete waste of money. Many will of course disagree (particularly with my love of sarcasm!), and I certainly can't help it if you all can't see reason!!! LOL, etc... Regards, Andy
1979 Yamaha C7D
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Another reference for Dawson String Covers. They do have many piano templates already made, and we've made quite a few templates for them for newer piano models. Great product, nice people. Making a cover out of other materials would still be a big improvement over uncovered strings. I cannot argue with Dale's specific experience, but I think that 100% wool is of definite benefit for its superior hygroscopic properties as a moderating force against humidity swings. I cannot name the other property, but I believe natural fibers, like wool, trap more salts and mineral content from moisture. I think the same could be said for cotton as it is also a natural cellular structure. The disadvantage to wool is the necessity to 'dry clean only'. I'm sure there are differences between materials, as to moisture swing control, but it may not be important depending on the micro-climate where the piano is placed along with the local weather. Northern California is fairly kind to pianos compared to a lot of other regions of the country and world. And as you said, any cover is better than no cover.
Dale Fox Registered Piano Technician Remanufacturing/Rebuilding
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Making a cover out of other materials would still be a big improvement over uncovered strings...nd as you said, any cover is better than no cover.
Are you saying every piano everywhere should have a string cover? If that's the case then why isn't one included with every piano? I'm not trying to be contradictory or to pick a fight. I really would like to know about this. The disadvantage to wool is the necessity to 'dry clean only'. Wool does not require dry cleaning. Wool fibers will felt under conditions of warmth, wetness, and agitation, but can be washed in warm water if not agitated or washed and agitated gently in cool water. And air dried flat. Of course, wool felt is felted already, having gone through the process in a controlled way! Still-you don't want to toss it in the washer and dryer, but gentle handling and air drying are almost always not a problem.
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Making a cover out of other materials would still be a big improvement over uncovered strings...nd as you said, any cover is better than no cover.
Are you saying every piano everywhere should have a string cover? If that's the case then why isn't one included with every piano? I'm not trying to be contradictory or to pick a fight. I really would like to know about this. Fine grand pianos should come equipped with artist benches and Damp Chaser systems pre-installed as well as a string cover, though not all clients will use the cover. They like seeing the shiny work. In that case I still recommend using the cover day to day and only removing it if they want to show the piano off for friends or have a concert on the piano. The pretty, shiny work will only remain pretty and shiny for so long if a stringent schedule of cleaning and dusting isn't adhered to.
Cost is probably the key factor in the case of artist benches and DC systems. BTW, all pianos leaving my shop after complete re-manufacturing have a Damp-Chaser and an artist bench.
And every grand piano that leaves my shop after re-manufacturing has a string cover unless the customer doesn't want one. It prevents dirt and pollution contamination which will bond with the surface of the plate, the soundboard and the wire (especially the windings on the bass strings, causing early loss of clarity in the bass strings from corrosion). Simply closing the lid does NOT prevent the accumulation of dust and contaminants. Use of a piano cover that covers the entire instrument is acceptable but rather inconvenient, don't you agree?The disadvantage to wool is the necessity to 'dry clean only'. Wool does not require dry cleaning. Wool fibers will felt under conditions of warmth, wetness, and agitation, but can be washed in warm water if not agitated or washed and agitated gently in cool water. And air dried flat. The expensive string covers offered commercially are not felted wool. They are made of fine wool cloth. Yes, one can hand wash and dry wool cloth, but some change of dimension is likely and certainly not desirable.Of course, wool felt is felted already, having gone through the process in a controlled way! Still-you don't want to toss it in the washer and dryer, but gentle handling and air drying are almost always not a problem. In addition to cleanliness the cover works in conjunction with the DC system to create a more stable climate for the soundboard. Those are my reasons for using covers. Does that answer your question?There may be some cover makers offering materials other than wool, though I haven't a clue because I haven't asked. Perhaps I will now???
Last edited by Dale Fox; 02/13/16 10:12 PM.
Dale Fox Registered Piano Technician Remanufacturing/Rebuilding
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Heavy speaker grill cloth works ,same material used for undercovers in junction with dehumidifier rods. Keeps dust out ,creates stable climate and is sonically transparent. You can use neodyne magnets to stretch it tight, no dowels needed. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...t=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpageOnly people saying you need wool are the ones selling it. Don't see too much sport and athletic material being made of wool these days.
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...now, regardless, you insist on a nice red/black/blue felt keyboard cover emblazened all fancy shmancy nancy like with your pie-annie's name in gold embroidery...relaxing after a grueling days work at the Smoothie Shop, wearing your 19th century silk Japanese smoking jacket and with a glass of 1858 Croizet Cuvée Léonie cognac in your hand, you intently stare at your cover's inherent beauty and recall its $25 cost (plus shipping), but you want to play, so you remove the cover, roll or fold it up, and find a home for it. When you're done playing, you locate it, unroll/unfold it, lay it out, and once again ponder its inherent beauty, until of course you realise it's just shed the dust it kept out of the keyboard back all over the keyboard while you were putting it back on, and the whole idea now seems rather counterproductive...
Me? I keep the fallboard closed, and I open it when I wish to play; when I'm done playing I let some air get to it for a short while to allow any accumulated moisture to evaporate, then I close it up until next time. Pure rocket surgery!
I do the very same with the lid; it's always fully closed until I wish to play. If I wanted a showpiece I'd buy an ACME® products Louis XIV piano prop! Besides, I paid for particular voicing of my piano, so why would I then change my pianos accoustics, however slight, by adding a felt cover over its strings? To me it makes about as much sense as wrapping a wool scarf around the body and F holes of a violin to keep the main body free of dust; for me both are totally unnecessary and a complete waste of money.
Many will of course disagree (particularly with my love of sarcasm!), and I certainly can't help it if you all can't see reason!!! I agree and enjoyed your reply. My baby grand sounds just fine as it is - with a lovely dark tone - so I don't want anything attenuating the high frequencies or reducing its sustain/resonance. By closing the lid and fallboard after playing, I keep the dust away and help the DC keep RH at a near constant level.
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All I can say is that the people who have protected their pianos with string covers have strings that look and sound like new. String covers also keep dust out of the action cavity which helps to maintain damper and hammer felts. If you're concerned about sound, the string cover can be removed and reinstalled in a matter of seconds. They are so simple and inexpensive it seems foolish not to use one when considering the benefits.
The reason for the felt strip over the keys is they greatly aid in maintaining the the friction at the front rail bushings. I don't know exactly how this works, I just know from experience that it reduces the swelling and warping of the keys caused by humidity changes. I was told that Steinway was testing the effects on tuning stability with having a wool string cover on top and a wool cover under the soundboard. I haven't heard anything about their findings. Steinway was also talking about providing a string cover with every grand: but doubt they actually started doing it.
Pianos have become increasingly expensive instruments. It only makes sense to do what you can to maintain them. Cover the keys, Cover the strings, and close up and cover the piano when you're not playing.
"Imagine it in all its primatic colorings, its counterpart in our souls - our souls that are great pianos whose strings, of honey and of steel, the divisions of the rainbow set twanging, loosing on the air great novels of adventure!" - William Carlos Williams
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