Bob and Willem, I didn't know Rippen sold those pianos of "lesser high quality" under their own name. In Holland they were sold under the name "Lindner" and I tune one with the name "Mahler". They were made in the Rippen factory in Shannon, Ireland. They even made hollow snap-on keys in some models. This Irish adventure did no good to the name and financial basis of the Rippen company. My opion about the action design is , that there are certainly good and original ideas put into it, but the total concept is unpractical and should never have left the laboratory. I will not do any major action repairs if the occasion occurs, I tell my "Lindner" customers that. Minor on site repairs I do without pay and without any warrenty. If real problems occur I tell them to buy a real piano, as Willem says. They are not worth the customers money and my time. Regards, Michiel van Loon mvanloon@xs4all.nl Meppel Nederland >In a message dated 98-03-01 10:41:10 EST, you write: > >>Does anyone have any experience with this action? I would appreciate any >>other ideas. Back in 1991 I wanted to remove a wippen and hammer, but I >>couldn't figure out how. The parts looked like they were "snap-in" >>types, but I couldn't get them out. The bridle tapes were glued at both >>ends. >> >>Bob Anderson > > >Unless the customer is emotionally attached to the piano, my recommendation >would be for her to get another piano. Rippen and the plastic actions are >worse than the plastic actions used in the Lesters et al. At least those you >can replace with wooden parts. There are no wooden parts that will fit a >Rippen, and when they break, which invariably they will, the only thing you >can do is superglue the parts back together. The only way you can remove an >action part is to "snap" it out of the rail, but if the part doesn't come out >easy, you'll run the risk of breaking it. > >Willem Blees RPT >St. Louis >
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