ConcertMaster reply

[Larry Fisher]

>From: btrout@desupernet.net
>Subject: Re: Concert Master installations

>In Ark., we had the piano on it's side to cut the slot. (Much easier to
handle a
>circular saw in that position.)

I agree, that's when I cut mine, all of my slots are cut with the grand
piano on it's side  .......  uh the flat side guys, the one without any
keys.  Butt, what if you cut the slot 1/8 inch off of your mark.  If your
lucky, it won't matter because there's enough room to shift the entire
mechanism around by as much as 1/4 inch in all directions.  Butt .........
what if that ain't quite enough??  My earlier installations with PDS had a
few of these  but I've since learned where the danged slot is supposed to
be.  It's been awhile since I've done some QRS systems so I'm just a shade
off my mark.  I've got another one to do as soon as the kit comes in so I
get to try and correct this error, or I get to enjoy the challenge of
dealing with yet another crooked gun barrel.  (In case you all were
wondering, I use a rifle instead of a drill whenever possible)

>
>How long did it take?  Well, it took our class about 4 days to test the stuff,
>prep the piano, install the stuff, and fine tune the system.  The techs in the
>factory claimed they could do a complete install in about 4 hours.

I've heard rumors of people doing these in 5 hours, but not 4, and I still
think that's a big fat pile of doo doo.

Installations do vary from one tech to the next.  Them 4 and 5 hour
installations are wreaked with imperfections and slop.  Sad but true.  Your
mission, should you decide to accept it, is to fix them problems, and don't
repeat them yersef!!

>The sostenuto lever assembly that gets put onto the trapwork is kind of cheap,
>and doesn't really work that well.  If I had my choice, I'd say that should be
>eliminated or made to work well.  (And good luck if it happens to squeak!)

Actually I had some doubts about that assembly as well until I put one in.
It took some "manipulating of the DATA" so to speak, but I got the little
POS to work quite nicely.

>
>Do you play the piano? 

poorly and with great need of some serious lessons but ....... uh ......
most piano teachers aren't good looking enough for me to take the time out
of my divorce schedule to partake of the "fruits of the keys" ... uh ...  so
to speak.

> Have you knocked your knee real good on the corner of
>the Concertmaster yet? 

I especially enjoy this after a rousing couple of hours in rainy rush hour
traffic.  It really gets the blood flowing in my face, eh??

> I'd also like to see them mount that thing on the other
>end of the piano.  And when you mount it all the way over to the edge of the
>piano, you have to take the thing out of the piano every time you need to pull
>the action. 

I just mounted mine just so that it clears the wing nut for the cheeky block.

>I guess I sound a little negative.  I do like the system.  They tell me they're
>coming out with a 900 MHz remote system that should work a lot better than the
>old 315 MHz or 318 MHz setups. 

This one had the 900 Mhz and it worked quite well.

>
>Brian Trout

uh .......  a Fisher eventually gets his Trout ....... dah so like look out eh??

>Quarryville, Pa.
>
>Larry Fisher wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'd like to hear from those of you that have installed the ConcertMaster
>> Performer.  How much do you charge the dealer for the installation (if
>> you're comfortable telling me that) ?  How long does it normally take to put
>> one of these monsters in??
>>
                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water