Why is it that...?

[Farrell]

"22.  Wurlitzer came up with the idea of the ever fashionable naugahide cases?"

I tuned one of these today. I've tuned it a few times now. At first when I heard of these I though you piano folks were joking around. Then when I first saw this one I figured someone covered the piano with vinyl. Then after looking more closely, I finally realized it was original. Gold Naugahide and other exposed wood painted black. Awesome (kinda).

  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Goodale" <rrg@unlv.edu>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 3:22 PM
Subject: Why is it that...?


Why is it that...  A collection of rhetorical questions regarding stupid things that piano companies have done.  (No particular reason for this, just something to make fun of).


Why is it that....
1.  Yamaha puts such ridiculous tiny brass wheels on the U1 that they serve no purpose in moving the piano?
2.  Steinway can't grasp the concept that the sostanuto rail belongs in the piano and not on the action?
3.  Some makers both today and yesterday don't machine the plate bridge so that it has a defined termination point?
4.  Some Asian companies, (at least in the past), don't allow room between the strings and plate for a temperament strip?
5.  Baldwin doesn't miter the ribs on their uprights so that they don't come loose in humid climates?
6.  Yamaha and Kawai insufficiently glue the dowels that hold the removable front in place so that they inevitably fall out?
7.  Samick doesn't understand that in order keep grands from wobbling you must use sufficient glue in the leg joints?
8.  Kimball used such flimsy bracing on some smaller uprights that you could alter the pitch just by lifting on the keybed?
9.  QRS thinks that a sustain solenoid should be an option and that somehow "magic fingers" will sound the same?
10.  The Kincade/Grand piano company thought standard plywood from a lumber yard was sufficient for a soundboard?
11.  In the 1970s Wurlitzer forgot that pin blocks must be glued into the piano so that they don't separate from the back?
12.  PianoDisc can't make an operating system that will read general midi 1 format and not just midi 0?
13.  Everett decided that the best way to secure the top of an upright piano was to use hex head screws?
14.  Some 1970's consoles have tenor tuning pins so close together that you can't get a tuning hammer on them?
15.  Various manufacturers built the case in such a way that you can't get a tuning hammer on the bottom 'A' pin?
16.  Some mute rails are so poorly designed they can't be adjusted to work when they should and not when they shouldn't?
17.  Key buttons were omitted in Whitney spinets to save money but inevitably resulted in wobbly keys?
18.  Kimball thought that inventing the "Le Petite" grand was a good idea?
19.  Baldwin decided that the top of a Hamilton should open like a Pontiac?
20.  Story & Clark proudly boasted about their CFS scale but the sound still sucked?
21.  Aeolian thought that key weights should be placed on both sides of the balance rail pin?
22.  Wurlitzer came up with the idea of the ever fashionable naugahide cases?
23.  If at first you don't succeed, how about naming it "Betsy Ross"?
24.  Any company that has a decal of a gold medal from some exhibition is automatically assumed superior?
25.  Particle board is not only used in pianos construction but is still proudly advertised as "solid wood"?


Okay, your turn, I've only scratched the surface here.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV