Michelle- I make categories and then as the evaluation unfolds, details are more or less complete according to the needs of the moment. (Not always good enough because I always think of something else later) Whatever comes of this conversation, I'll probably add that checklist to my small stack of papers in the pocket of the toolcase. If I've forgotten anything, we can blame it on Sunday morning sleepies. Lisa Weller p.s. Two things that have helped my student find problems- Sesame Street's song "One of these things is not like the others" Yes the teacher gets the dirty look regularly :-) and the proverb, "Piano Techs like to see straight lines and even spaces." LISA'S SHORT AND OH-SO-HANDY INSPECTION LIST Usually, you'll know most of the answers after the first section. General appearance and first impressions name, serial# and country of origin case appearance scratches/damage missing parts color problems/mismatched parts smell, how dirty, evidence of critters what type of action what type of flanges,springs and strings glance around for new parts & strings evidence of bad work from other techs a general idea of age of piano and how worn out things are impressions from a few chords and runs played tuning-when and how far from pitch playability pedals Playability what can it still do does it hurt you to play it investigate unusual things Strings/pinblock what's been replaced/repaired tuning pin condition/size quality of stringing job/neatness of coils pinblock fit and solidness bass string tone rust tunability tuning pin torque and evenness string rendering Bridges original quality/cheapness cracks loose pins separating from soundboard see and hear how strings sit against bridge and pins Plate finish flaking plate bolts all present and tight general fit to case hitchpins aliquots in place under string felt presence and quality look for bits of felt shoved between strings near capo for evidence of string/capo noise problems Keys & key frame & key bed what's been replaced keytop condition bushings/keybuttons condition of leads level and height how flattened is the backrail cloth condition of keypins look for chewed up places or wood rot on a grand keyframe condition of glidebolts condition of keybed spring condition of all the places where the keyframe touches Action what's been replaced and resulting damage (shredded backchecks from bad shaping of hammer tails, etc.) hammer condition shape of knuckle what still works/doesn't work as far as how much regulation had deteriorated condition of brackets, rails and screws felt condition leather condition pinning screws tight smoothness of spoons and capstans Dampers what's been replaced what works or not age of felt and wires guiderail back action how underlevers are attached (glued in or screwed in) alignment of underlevers/timing on lift with pedal pinning leads tray pitman& levers felt and leather key end felt condition Sostenuto what works or not condition of tabs condition of rail and supports Case & legs finish age, type and condition condition of hinges fit of fallboard, lid and other movable parts condition/presence of music desk veneer problems loose missing cracks hardware loose missing finish legs attached correctly and in correct location cracks or previous repairs bolts/screws not obstructing cheekblocks or keyframe casters matching condition what have they done to the floor Pedal lyre attached correctly proper lyre braces attached correctly separating of lyre parts and/or bottom of pedal box (check for hymnal under pedals) wear of dowels, felts and leather parts check all pedals for function & follow problems
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