[CAUT] Critter-damaged balance punchings in Yamaha P-22s

[Douglas Wood]

Check with Schaff--I was under the distinct impression that all their  
felts are "moth-proofed". Though I dunno exactly what that means.  
They should be able to tell you.

BTW, any entomologists on campus? They could give you an idea what  
sort of critter it is, and whether you should be concerned about  
repeat offenses.

Doug Wood


On May 8, 2007, at 4:20 PM, Israel Stein wrote:

> Hello,
>
> We have been doing some maintenance work on the Yamaha P-22s in the  
> practice rooms here at San Francisco State - key bushings,  
> regulation, etc. - and we are finding lots of critter damage (I  
> don't know if it's moths or not) in the balance punchings of some  
> 8-10 year old P-22s. No other cloth appears to be affected. Those  
> are the red 1 mm thick balance punchings. Almost identical  
> replacements are available from Schaff (as hitch pin punchings) and  
> slightly larger ones from Piano Forte. Our Director (the brass here  
> aren't satisfied with a mere Department Chair) insists that the  
> replacements be critter-proof before approving the purchase (Yup, I  
> need to get approval for a $35 expenditure. Sheesh...)
>
> So, anyone know a method of critter-proofing these things that  
> doesn't make the practice room smell of mothballs? Or perhaps some  
> of these products are already critter proof?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Israel Stein
>
>
>
> From: caut-request at ptg.org
> Date: May 8, 2007 11:01:08 AM PDT
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: caut Digest, Vol 1098, Issue 13
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Hamburg Steinway (Israel Stein)
>
> From: Israel Stein <custos3 at comcast.net>
> Date: May 7, 2007 8:13:24 PM PDT
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: [CAUT] Hamburg Steinway
> Reply-To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>
>
> At 08:49 AM 5/7/2007, caut-request at ptg.org wrote:
>> Israel:
>>
>> Interesting story!  I'd love to have a closer look at how you  
>> educated
>> the pianists to choose based on qualities of the instrument rather  
>> than
>> some perception.
>
>  I really cannot take credit for "educating" them in any way. I  
> just give them credit for being just a bit more open-minded than  
> the norm... Both I and the other technician here have a very  
> cordial relationship with all three of them - and they appear to  
> take us seriously. We always talk about the pianos - and it is a  
> two-way conversation, they do listen. So perhaps I am very lucky to  
> be working with such people. At least one of them - the Australian  
> guy - periodically tests out all the pianos, and brings along a  
> graduate student to give him feedback. Two weeks ago he told me  
> that until now he did not play the NY instrument because the tone  
> wasn't "focused" but lately the newer NY has a "focused" tone -  
> such as he typically finds in the Hamburg instruments - so he will  
> use it. Whatever "focused" means. I'm not going to argue  - so far  
> he has been happy with whatever voicing I have done... Apparently  
> he does have a specific tone in his ear, and looks for it in the  
> instruments he chooses. The same with teaching instruments - he  
> absolutely hates some of the Steinway B's that we have here,  likes  
> others and there is an old rebuilt Kawai 500 that he likes.  
> (Because of space limitations in our building they have to rotate  
> teaching studios and share them with non-piano faculty) And all  
> three of these people confer with each other and exchange opinions  
> - so perhaps our faculty is not typical.
>
> One thing I will take credit for. I insisted on letting them play  
> the Hamburg into the ground before restringing it. My colleague  
> wanted to restring it preemptively, but I insisted on letting it  
> really deteriorate to where they couldn't deny the evidence of  
> their ears - that the New York piano is a better choice if you want  
> a lot of sound (at least temporarily). And so they got to play the  
> New York exclusively for a while -and got a pleasant surprise. But  
> I give them credit for keeping an open mind...
>
> Israel Stein
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>

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