wanted: sellers of tools

[Mike Masters]

Clair Dunn wrote:
> 
> First--let me say I am very glad to have found this list. I have been only
> lurking (and avidly reading) for about 3 weeks now. Well--I did post one q.
> regarding the PTG. I am impressed by the information here and by the tenor
> of the posts. Thanks.
>

Great to have you aboard.
 
> Second--major query which is the result of a very puzzling phenomenon. I am
> a beginner and am looking forward to working on my own piano. I want to
> execute the tuning exercises in the Reblitz book. However, after many hours
> of exhaustive Internet searching and several phone calls to numbers that
> are out of service, or whose area codes have changed, I speak with someone
> who asks for a substantial sum for one of their catalogues. One company
> even wants money for shipping it. None of them even mention refunding the
> price with the first order. Is this the condition of things across the
> spectrum?
>

I only know of 2 companies that charge for their catalogs, Renner and 
Pianotek. You might try Schaff at (847)438-4556 or (800)747-4266 (for 
orders)  Also try American Piano Supply at (201) 777-3600 or (800) 
457-4266 (orders only).
     
> Third--all I want is an extension tuning lever (the kind where the heads
> can be changed), a temperament strip, a tuning fork, and some mutes. (And I
> guess I'll ask here, how do I know which head will fit my piano--Kohler &
> Campbell, 1915?)
>

Both of the above have a beggining tuning kit which comes with a 
"student" non-extentendable but interchangeable head, it will have a #2 
star tip and will probably be the only tip you will need to tune your 
K&C, tuning fork, felt temperment strip, wedge mutes. They also have 
extension levers available as well. And all different sizes of heads and 
tips.
 
> Fourth--since I am vaguely offended about the business with the catalogue,
> never mind the time involved of my sending a check, them verifying it, and
> then mailing the catalogue, I'm turning to this list. Guessing that the
> most expensive item on my list is the lever, what is a reasonable ballpark
> price to pay for one? I would then assume that calling dealers and asking
> the price of that one item would tell me that I could probably safely order
> everything from them. Or is that nuts?

	Until you do get established, you will have to deal with the cash only 
option from a few of the suppliers, although some of them (American and 
Pianotek) do allow you to pay by the convenience of visa/mastercard, but 
they do have a minimum order (usually $25.00). Once you do get 
established in the piano business, you may request to buy from them on 
an open account, which allows you to pay within a reasonable amount of 
time (usually 30 days). The price of an extension rosewood tuning hammer 
is in the $90.00 range. I personally use a mini-rosewood extension 
hammer that cost about $85.00 from Schaff.
  
> 
> Fifth--how are mutes ordered? I mean what kinds does one need to start? Any
> help in that area would be much appreciated.
>

	There are as many different types of mutes as there are pianos. I carry 
2 felt temperment strips (for strip muting the entire treble and tenor 
sections), a small strip of posterboard for inserting between felt temp 
strip and dampers above treble break, 2 3" x 3/8" rubber mute with wires 
for muting individual notes, and 2 3" x 3/4" rubber mutes for the bass 
section. I have tried many mutes over the past few years and like these 
the best.
 
> Sixth--somewhere in my reading I read a ref. to a book, I think by an
> Englishman named Silver? that dealt with tuning a piano so that the key (as
> in Key of F or Key of G) was apparent when the music was played on a piano
> tuned with his method. Does anyone know about this? Sounded quite sensible
> to a beginner, or is that a wrong track for reasons I haven't yet learned?

There are many ways to tune a piano. But as a beginner, my opinion is 
that you need to start with the basics. Equal temperment. Once you get 
that mastered then you can move on to bigger and brighter things. 
Historical Temperments. Bill Bremer and Jim Coleman have both had 
excellent posts (as well as others on the list) regarding HT's which I 
have enjoyed.
> 
> Seventh--apologies for the long almost first post. But my level of
> frustration about the tools is high right now.

> 
> Thanks much,
> Clair Dunn
> cadunn@vt2000.com

Mike Masters
Masters Piano Service
Lakewood, OH