Verdigris

[Tim Coates]

Jim,

My intent was not to call other technicians "uppity" because they have 
the luxury of working on only grand pianos.  I was trying to be very 
clear that in this part of the country people perceive a piano 
technician who decides to do that as being "uppity".  I am telling you 
all what the customers are like here.  I wish I could only work on 
grands, but I can't for previously  stated reasons.

I don't know what makes you think I am upset about the jokes.  I make 
jokes as I buy the bourbon.  I make jokes with the customers (and they 
make jokes).   I was asked point blank by Jim B. if I was kidding him.  
I told him I was dead serious.  He asked a straight question and I gave 
him a straight answer.  Not once have I asked people to stop making 
jokes about Wild Turkey.  I have asked why people revere and doubt  
Fred Drasche. I fail to see how this is being upset about jokes.  I 
thought the volunteers to do the experiments was great.

I pointed out (as Joe Goss did) that there is a big difference between 
$1500 and $10 to make a repair.  We must weigh out the situation and 
find the best fit for the customer.

If you want to do experiments that's great.  It won't change anything I 
do.  Others have decided to try different methods because of this 
discussion.  I think they will make up their own minds without 
scientific experiments.  I will continue to tell others about it, just 
as Fred Drasche talked about it at a seminar at Hendrick's in Chicago 
in 1978.

Good luck with your experiments.  Oh by the way, Fred indicated that 
the flange is cleansed/sized and it has to be wood grain alcohol in the 
form of bourbon to do the job correctly.

Tim Coates
University of South Dakota

On Aug 11, 2004, at 9:08 AM, James Ellis wrote:

> Tim Coates seems to think some of us are being "uppedy".  I disagree.  
> The
> question was about remedies for verdigris, and other than a few jokes 
> about
> Wild Turkey, that's what the answers were about.  Tim also credited the
> "List" with considering 25 years as "permanent".  No, that didn't come 
> from
> the list, that was my remark when I said I did not consider 25 years 
> to be
> "temporary".
>
> Other than a few unfortunate jokes, I think the responses came straight
> from the experiences of those who responded.  I know mine did, and I 
> was
> not trying to be "uppedy".  I have had complete success with new parts,
> good success with re-bushing and re-pinning, and very poor success with
> solvents and/or lubricants.  It has come to the place where I will not 
> put
> any liquid into a bushing that will not completely evaporate - and 
> that's
> why I use pure grain alcohol and distilled water for shrinking.
>
> I know what Tim is saying, and I raise this question.   Tim, do you 
> know
> for a fact that the problem was really verdigris, and not something 
> else?
> Now, as for the "Wild Turkey".  I think some were too quick to pass 
> this
> off in a joking manner.  As I recall, this stuff is charcoal filtered 
> and
> aged in charcoal casks.  Charcoal is mostly carbon, right?  And so it
> graphite, which we all know is a darned good dry lubricant.  So, 
> what's in
> the Wild Turkey that's going to be left behind when the alcohol and 
> water
> evaporate?  I'm sure you follow me.  Is it going to be some sort of dry
> lubricant, or some sort of goo, or what?  We know something is going 
> to be
> left behind, because that stuff is not a clear liquid.  It does have 
> some
> color.  What about good old Tennessee Jack Daniels?  That's worth a 
> try too.
>
> I think my next little research project will be to visit the 
> neighborhood
> liquor store, buy some samples, put some samples out in a clean glass 
> dish,
> let it evaporate, and see what kind of stuff is left behind.  I'll let 
> you
> know later.
>
> Will you settle for that, Tim?
>
> Jim Ellis
>
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