The Piano Technician's Library

[Delwin D Fandrich]

And a nice selection of books, indeed. But for beginners like our friend
Stephen Airy I would suggest just two:

1)  Piano Servicing, Tuning & Rebuilding
     Arthur A. Reblitz
     Vestal Press
This to help him through renovating or rewhatevering his upright piano.

2)  A Treatise on the Art of Pianoforte Construction
     Samuel Wolfenden
     Unwin Brothers, Ltd.
This to give him a fairly well-rounded background in what the piano
designers of the early 1900s were thinking. In this case, especially,
Wolfenden's emphasis on the upright piano should be of interest.

If I had to choose just one (piano related) book to keep me company on a
desert isle it would be Wolfenden's. True, there is some misinformation in
there, but it is overshadowed by the practical, hands-on experience and
knowledge he amassed by actually designing and building pianos.

Neither of these are terribly expensive and both should be available through
a good library. Well, at least Reblitz is.

Del

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Clark" <caccola@net1plus.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: August 14, 2001 6:44 AM
Subject: Re: The Piano Technician's Library


> Most of these are in easy reach. Their combination may open a gateway to
> the dark side.
>
> Coffee table:
> Colt, C.F. The antique piano
> Crombie, David. Piano
> Michel, N.E. ...
>
> Service/construction:
> Faust, Oliver. The piano tuner's pocket companion
> Goodway, Martha and J.S. Odell. The metallurgy of 17th & 18th c. wire *
> Nalder, Lawrence. The modern piano (similar to Dolge)
> Roberts, David. The calculating technician
> Wolfenden, Samuel. A treatise on the art of pianoforte construction
>
> same, only bizarre:
> Smith, Eric. Piano care & restoration
> Van Nattan, Steve. Piano owner's survival guide
>
> Physics/mechanics (classical, anyhow):
> Albert, C.E. and F.S. Roberts. The kinematics of machinery
> Benade, Arthur. Horns, strings and harmony
> Feather, Norman. Vibration and waves
>
> History:
> Dolge, Alfred. Pianos and their makers
> Good, Edwin. Giraffes, black dragons, and other pianos *
> Harding, Rosamond. The piano-forte
> Hubbard, Frank. Three centuries of harpsichord making
> Ripin, Edwin (ed). Keyboard instruments
> Wainwright, David. Broadwood by appointment
>
> General reference:
> U.S.D.A. Wood handbook
> Machinery's handbook
> MSC Big Book
> Small Parts, Inc. catalog