after reading about caster cups in the "hardwood floors" thread, i went out and bought some proper grand piano caster cups at the local piano store. i've been using rubber furniture feet since i got the piano almost a year and a half ago.

will the piano caster cups change the tonal properties of the piano? also, should i wait for my tech to come and put the cups under the piano? is it safe for me and the piano to do it myself? i watched my tech do it with the rubber feet, and it looks like it could hurt my back.

i only have a day now to return the cups if i don't like the effect they have on the piano's tone, and the tech doesn't arrive for two more weeks. the piano was voiced with the rubber feet on--should i be concerned about the cups' effect on the voicing?

the piano does not have a rug under it. it is sitting on the rubber feet which in turn sit on a wilsonart floor, which is some kind of pergo-type wood lookalike.

thanks!

Pique,there will not be any effect on your pianos voicing or tone,ever.Get someone to help you place them under each leg,safety always comes first. P ianos have a funny way of hurting you if you don't lift them correctly.

Second the motion to have at least three guys with strong backs (well, okay, "people", so as not to seem too sexist) come over to your house and lift that sucker off the floor for ya while you slide the casters under it.

Give them beer.

Hi Pique:
Curry is correct, you will see no difference in the tone of your piano. One strong person can lift one corner of the piano at a time to allow you to slide the cup under the caster. The trick is to place the top of your knee under the piano alongside the leg. Then push up with your knee along with lifting with your arms....makes it a lot easier.
PNO2NER

I agree that you only need two people, one strong and one to place the cups. We just did this last week. I chose clear Ace, 1 7/8", rigid plastic cups that don't stand out. They are a very hard platic that didn't seem to deform easily at all, yet they cost only $3 for four. They also don't call attention to themselves.

Getting $10 for one caster cup (plus shipping) is silly profiteering, IMO. Grands are putting down 150-300lbs per leg. For a regular oak hardwood floor, there is no reason to go buy a 3 inch chunk of kryptonite. I don't say this as an expert. It just seems like common sence.

Pique, Auralex does make floor materials that, I believe, are more meant for isolation (platforms, etc) but don't really affect the sound within a room.

two cents,
Chris