There are over 100,000 known species of fungi, and probably twice as many
remain to be identified. Microscopic mould spores are circulating everywhere
in the air, only waiting for the opportunity to land and germinate in ideal
conditions. A few main types of mould seem to manifest themselves on keyboard
instruments under adverse climatic conditions. Each variety exhibits a propensity
to appear on its favorite substrate. The following photographs will help you
identify the main troublemakers. Later, we can examine what mould needs to thrive,
and how to make things more difficult for it:
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- A general blotchy dullness easily detected on the case interior, exterior or
stand, spreading outwards. This type of mould seems to prefer oil-based
paints or varnishes.
Case exterior mould
Singapore |
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- Brown blotchy spots favoring the coniferous wood of the soundboard
or wrestplank veneer beginning about 3mm in diameter, and spreading outwards, similar in appearance to the mould which causes “foxing” on
old books and postage stamps.
“Foxing” on wrestplank veneer
Sydney |
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- Furry grey-green mould favoring extraordinarily wet wood as seen in water-damaged instruments.
Mould growth on water-damaged keyboard
Melbourne |
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- White frosty mould which seems to feed off the yummy medium (gum arabic
or egg yolk) of the soundboard painting, appearing to prefer less toxic
colors.
Frosty mould on soundboard arabesque
Hong Kong |
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- A white ringworm-like fungus which attacks starch-based glues often used
for attaching printed Flemish case papers, and spreads out in circles of
increasing diameter destroying the paper.
Mould on Flemish papers
Hong Kong
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- This white mould complex of fine hairs is fruiting after growing undisturbed
in a dark and damp place.
Hairy soundboard mould
Honolulu |
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- A dull orange fungus which prefers a rough surface like a harpsichord bottom with only a single thin sealing coat of paint.
Mould on harpsichord bottom
Hong Kong
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- A powdery green fungus, not unlike that which appears on oranges can
sometimes be seen on instrument bottoms. This is most usually a type of
mould in a dormant phase, just waiting for the right conditions to flourish.
It can often be successfully removed dry.
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