How to build a piano that sounds good after decades of low maintenance?

Question

Are there existing pianos or designs for acoustic instruments that could survive a shtf scenario? The idea is to require minimal non-specialist maintenance. Should be able to survive being transported in a vehicle over rough terrain, sitting in a bunker for years, or what about a space capsule?

missedthecue · Accepted Answer

The problem is that the steel piano wire, which is stretched extremely tight, becomes looser over time. There is nothing you can do to counteract this. It's just physics. Humidity and temperature will make this worse. The second problem is that a piano literally has over 10 thousand different parts, and many are relatively fragile. You wouldn't want to transport that over rough terrain unless you completely disassembled it into a secure carrying case.Your best bet is an electronic piano, which are quite good these days. A Casio could survive everything you list, and would still sound true decades later.

samwillis · Answer

It seems to me that an instrument that uses tuned mettal bars like a Glockenspiel should be incredible resilient. As long as it is protected from rust it should stay in tune basicly forever. Also packs super small.
If you are after something more Piano like then a Celesta would be a good bet, it’s basically a cross between a Piano and a Glockenspiel.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celesta
Do not dismiss a normal piano though, a steal frame piano should stay in tune for a considerable time under stable temperature and low humidity. Should be achievable in a bunker.

eternityforest · Answer

All electronic. No springs, use weights and magnets.
Power it by solar and LTO batteries. Double or triple redundant key sensors.
A full redundant copy of the firmware and automatic checking and repair of anything going bad, or better yet an ASIC(I think a RISCV synth with samples in mask rom could still be cheaper than somw high end pianos...)

jononor · Answer

A kalimba would do pretty well, especially if using a rust resistant metal (ex stainless steel) and humidity resistant body (eg plastic). Some people call them thumb pianos.

sigstoat · Answer

synthetic materials for the action and body will help a bit.
using something rust resistant for the harp wouldn’t hurt.
not claiming that will do the job. pianos are heavy and more delicate than they appear.

karmakaze · Answer

How about going high-tech and using an auto-tuning mechanism?That seems simpler than whatever exotic methods would be needed to prevent loss of tuning.

How to build a piano that sounds good after decades of low maintenance?

Are there existing pianos or designs for acoustic instruments that could survive a shtf scenario? The idea is to require minimal non-specialist maintenance. Should be able to survive being transported in a vehicle over rough terrain, sitting in a bunker for years, or what about a space capsule?

A kalimba would do pretty well, especially if using a rust resistant metal (ex stainless steel) and humidity resistant body (eg plastic). Some people call them thumb pianos.

synthetic materials for the action and body will help a bit.using something rust resistant for the harp wouldn’t hurt.not claiming that will do the job. pianos are heavy and more delicate than they appear.

How about going high-tech and using an auto-tuning mechanism?That seems simpler than whatever exotic methods would be needed to prevent loss of tuning.

synthetic materials for the action and body will help a bit.
using something rust resistant for the harp wouldn’t hurt.
not claiming that will do the job. pianos are heavy and more delicate than they appear.

How about going high-tech and using an auto-tuning mechanism?
That seems simpler than whatever exotic methods would be needed to prevent loss of tuning.