How to care for historic "ancient" square pianos?

[kriatina]

Hello,

I would like to know if there is anyone with an "ancient, historic" square piano ?

How do they care for it and how often do they tune it ?

Do they only keep one humidifier on or do they have more than one humidifier?

In the winter: do they "dare to" heat the room and if at all, how?

How do they clean the ivory ?

Do they clean/hoover the insides of the piano  and if, how?

Thanks for the information from Kristina.

[sirpazhan]

i'd probably say the same way you'd take care of a nice piano.

-avg. tune about once every 6mo.

-get a little hygrometer and keep it steady, somewhere between 42-57% humidity (humidifier to add, and a dehumidifier to subtract moisture)

-temperature doesn't really mess with pianos.. as long as its not in the way of the draft (keep away from direct a/c or heat-- also away from direct sun)

-ivory is usually cleaned with bleach... and if you keep the fallboard closed all the time.. it will turn yellow much faster.

-insides are usually cleaned with specialty heads on vacuums.. and cloths that pick up dirt and dust.. keep moisture away, specially from the strings (and don't touch the strings by hand, the oils from you fingers will tarnish them) - check online piano shops to buy some cleaning products.

[kriatina]

Thank you, sirpazhan for all your information.

I was wondering because I have heard some historical square pianos being played at Hatchlands Park, Finchcocks Museum of Instruments and the Museum of the Royal College of Music and their tonality is so individual and impressive that I am becoming quite curious
about these instruments.

I have heard that square pianos have to be tuned more often because
their wooden soundboard makes them more sensible to weather conditions etc.
 
Thanks again from Kristina.