Upright pianos and earthquakes

[yamagal]

We live in So. Cal. and yesterday's earthquake has raised a concern.  We have a new Yamaha U1 and I would like to know if it would be a good idea to secure it in the event of an earthquake.   Would somehow strapping the upper back to wall studs affect the sound in any way?  Would it even do any good, I'm wondering - it's so heavy that in a big temblor it might topple anyway.

Anyone have any experience with pianos riding out earthquakes?

Also, is a piano ruined if it gets knocked over?

[yamagal]

No replies?  Oh well, I will just keep trying different Google search strings.  Haven't hit on the right one yet - so the info eludes me.

My dh suggests a flexible mooring rather than a rigid one, but that still leaves the question of where to attach it so as not to compromise the sound in any way.

Here is my intro - shoulda posted it yesterday but not sure which board to put it on -

Took lessons for 3-4 years when I was young, got up to somewhere in the intermediate range.  Am playing again after a 24 year hiatus - we got the piano new last fall.  My goal is to eventually play late intermediate to early advanced classical pieces.   I don't get to practice as much as I would like - my 5 kids keep me busy.   

I have been lurking on these boards and many of your posts have been helpful to me, thanks much.

[eins]

My upright is the last thing I'd worry about when the earth starts quaking. If that topples, some brown mass must have hit the fan, so that piano is one of my least worries.

Other than that, the thing is so heavy, I doubt it will topple. Its inertia will just make it ride out the quakes.

[yamagal]

Thank you, that is good to know.  I got the impression it might topple in a quake because I had read that tipping over is a risk while moving an upright.  In fact, the piano movers almost toppled ours getting it down the ramp off the back of the truck.   

[Barbosa-piano]

 Well, moving the piano can cause it to get slightly out of tune, I'm not sure if the earthquake would do the same. If the piano topples over, there is a risk that something might hit the soundboard, completely modifying the sound of it (if it cracks). It also depends on how sturdy the piano is. My grandmother's old German piano (from the early 1900's probably) fell from the truck straight to the floor on its wheels, jumping from about 3 feet and a half of height. My grandmother started screaming at the movers, but incredibly, the piano was intact. I'm not sure what it would do to a Yamaha though...
 I would ask a piano technician before modifying the piano in any way, because the upper back of the upright piano is actually the piece of the pinblock, which supports a very heavy tension from the pins and strings. Maybe if you turn it on its back and lock the lid to the keyboard, then putting a blanket on it, it could be safe, if you are suspicious of any earthquakes. I hope this was helpful. And I send my best wishes and good luck against any earthquakes.

Sincerely,
Mario Barbosa.

[yamagal]

Hello Mario,

Thank you for the preventative tips, I think I follow you vis a vis "battening down" the piano (lock it, turn it toward wall & cover w/ blanket) pending an anticipated quake.  (I guess the only way to suspect a large quake is coming is if there are one or more foreshocks, and the scientists issue a warning.)  Your info on the pinblock is definitely helpful, that's what I was wondering about (whether modifying the piano might compromise sound or structure).  If we decide to pursue this, we will contact a piano technician as you suggest.

[Floristan]

Upright pianos are so massive and the weight is all in the back.  I can imagine an earthquake causing the piano to move around the room on its casters, but not topple.  Any earthquake that could topple an upright would destroy the house or apartment it's in!   People here in Northern California will sometimes attach bookshelves, hutches, etc. to studs in the wall to keep them from toppling in earthquakes, but these are relatively light or unstable pieces of furniture that an earthquake can easily topple.  I don't think an upright is going anywhere, IMO.

[Axtremus]

Uprights are also top-heavy -- the pin block is on top, most of the metal that constitute the place is also on top. I do not have a solution for this.

[yamagal]

Wondering why the pin block is on top?  Is there some acoustic or structural advantage?

[Barbosa-piano]

 It is probably a lot easier to tune the piano that way, otherwise you would have to lay on the floor, adjust the tuning and stand up to check the pitch of a note all the time... That arrangement is a lot easier, the tuner just have to sit, play the note, and tune it siting down. Also, if the pin block was on the bottom, the pedals would have to go somewhere else... I don't believe there is any acoustic advantage... I don't know why, but the hammers are always positioned to strike the part that is the nearest to the pins on the pin block. I believe that striking the region is more effective for the sonority. Maybe there is no way to put the pin block on the bottom, unless you make hammers that go all the way down... Leave it to technicians... 

Mario Barbosa.

[eins]

Uprights are also top-heavy -- the pin block is on top, most of the metal that constitute the place is also on top. I do not have a solution for this.

But the heavy metal pedals are at the bottom, and the heavy casters 

Seriously, the weight leaning more toward the back, the top heaviness is not such a big issue. Worst case, the piano bangs aganist the wall and stands right back up.

If I would fear a piano to topple, I would attach a few heavy eyebolts in the rear posts and connect those with studs in the wall via steel cables made out of Röslau strings 

[yamagal]

Thank you all for your helpful insights and suggestions.