Music Desks

[David Ilvedson]

In my experience, keeping the hardware tight by periodic snugging of the
screws will eliminate most of the music rack problems in Yamahas and Kawais
and such.  When the screws do strip and I still love the shoe leather/CA
glue repair for the stripped holes.

David I.
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 8/21/01 at 8:09 PM Rolf von Walthausen & Nancy Larson wrote:

>While it's true these weak points on Baldwin music shelf & desks need
>periodic
>bandaging, it seems breakage mainly occurs after misuse, i.e. inadvertent
>leaning or heavy objects on the desk while in the down position; closing
>the lid
>without the shelf pushed all the way back; a sudden blow from hands
>creasing
>pages of music; fists in a fit of rage, etc....
>
>I tend to have far more problems with most model Steinway music shelf &
>desks
>without support hinges (such as splintered rails, hinge screws ripped out,
>gradual tilting backwards and sagging towards the middle) as these seem
>much
>less able to withstand institutional punishment.
>
>Of the Kawai and Yamaha pianos I've worked on most seem to use fairly
>sturdy
>materials and have relatively trouble-free music shelf & desk designs for
>institutional settings.
>
>Perhaps others could share redesigns that have worked, or successful
>techniques
>for more permanent repairs to areas of music shelf & desks that tend not
>to hold
>up under extreme conditions.
>
>Rolf von Walthausen
>Interlochen Center for the Arts
>
>
>Jeff Tanner wrote:
>
>>
>> > While on the subject of supplier complaints, has anyone else had
>trouble
>> > with music desks on Baldwin grands?  I bandage up 2 or more a year due
>to
>> > the bearings at each end breaking out of the veneer, which is all
>there is
>> > supporting the entire weight of the desk, not including the hinge
>screws
>> > stripping out taking huge chunks of wood with them.  But Baldwin says
>there
>> > have been no complaints and they won't warranty them.  The design
>and/or
>> > materials seem too fragile for the institutional setting.  Anyone
else?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > Jeff
>> >
>> > Jeff Tanner
>> > Piano Technician
>> > School of Music
>> > University of South Carolina
>> > Columbia, SC 29208
>> > (803)-777-4392 (phone)