Nipples on a bull

[William Benjamin]

Phil,

I am always careful about telling stories, because someone always says it
isn't true, never the less, here it goes.

Amel told us that in the 50's or 60's Baldwin did a lot of survey to find
what did and didn't sell.  It seams they used a number of test cases, where
they put a two pedal and a three pedal piano side by side.  They were
exactly the same accept for the three pedal piano had a dummy pedal.  There
finding was that people chose a three pedal piano.  What could be the
reason: it looked like they were getting more.  Maybe, but that is the story
I heard.

William


 .  

PIANO BOUTIQUE
William Benjamin
Piano Tuner Extraordinaire
www.pianoboutique.biz
The tuner alone,
preserves the tone.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of pjr
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 5:49 PM
To: Pianotech List
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