Nipples on a bull

[John Ross]

I can't remember seeing a 'dummy' middle pedal.
I have however seen them, missing the attachments to make them operate a 
muffler rail. So they appear to do nothing now.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pjr" <pryan2 at the-beach.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 6:48 PM
Subject: Nipples on a bull


> After meticulously tuning a dilapidated upright piano in the back of a 
> dark stage at a school, I reached down with my foot and found the sustain 
> pedal was broken off and missing.  In order to avoid having this the best 
> tuned piano in the landfill (and to get paid), I disconnected the middle 
> pedal and gerryrigged it to act as the sustain pedal and all is well in 
> the tuning world.  Which brings me to my question - does anyone know the 
> history of why there is a useless middle pedal on inexpensive upright 
> pianos?  Is it as the proverbial expression implies "Nipples on a 
> bull"?(Apologies to the ladies)  How did it begin?  Is it just 
> psychological?  Do they do this in Europe?
>
> Phil Ryan
> Miami Beach
>
>
>