wanted: sellers of tools

[Dan M. Hallett Jr.]

Mike Masters wrote:
> 
> 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

Dear Mike: Apsco charges $5.OO for the first catalogue and also asks for
a business card.
Dan Hallett, Jr.
Hallett's Piano Service
dhalle@toolcity.net