Signature on Key

[Les Smith]

I believe on latter-day, Aeolian pianos it was a common practice
among technicians to sign SOMEONE ELSE'S name on the instrument,
thus making it much more difficult to accurately place the blame!

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net

On Tue, 25 Feb 1997, Don McCallion wrote:

> >Of course, the folks at Charles R. Walter make sure that a member of the
> >family signs the pinblock on each piano from the Elkhart factory.  Most
> >have Kevin Walters signature (Charles' son).  Occasionally, you'll see
> >one signed by son-in-law Virgil Wesco.  I heard a woman bought a Walter
> >signed by Virgil.  Her friend liked it so much, she demanded one signed
> >by Virgil!  The dealer found one (and only one). It seems Kevin was out
> >of town on that production day and Virgil had to ship out his pen.  Must
> >be some kind of status thing.
>
> I meant "whip out his pen".
> >
> >May be corny to some, but I think it's a nice touch.  This way you have
> >someone specifically to praise or blame.  Mine is signed by Kevin.  I
> >think the blue pen adds a certain warmth to the sound : - ).
> >
> >Don McCallion - don@ct2.nai.net
> >New Milford, CT
>
> "I used to think my brain was the best part of my body.  But then I
> thought, 'look who's telling me.'" - Emo Phillips
>