A Service Experience

[Les Smith]

Hi, John.

The problem you describe is very frequently encountered in Steinway
pianos where the music desk hinges are fastened with tiny, too-short,
not-enough-holding-power screws. Over time, as pianists pile on heavy
books, etc. the little suckers come loose and find their way into the
action, causing a multitude of problems. In older Steinways it's not
uncommon to get a call from an owner that his music desk has self-
destructed. When you get there, you find the screws have all pulled
loose and are either sitting between the tuning pins or in the ac-
tion, itself.

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net

On Thu, 13 Mar 1997 jpiesik@arinc.com wrote:

>      Hi List,
>
>      I want to share an experience I had last night while servicing a
>      Yamaha C7 at a local church:
>
>      The pianist was complaining about B above middle C sticking. I
>      couldn't get it to stick, but I pulled the action, anyways. Turned out
>      to be a tiny screw from one of the music desk hinges had worked itself
>      out and between the keys, wedging itself periodically. The hole in the
>      music desk was stripped, but a little chunk of popsicle stick placed
>      into the stripped hole held the screw tight again.
>
>      I learned again the importance of keeping screws tight in stage pianos
>      (and all pianos, for that matter). Such a simple, seemingly trivial
>      thing - but so important!
>
>      Choir practice was being held while I was servicing the piano. Pulling
>      the action turned out to be a real crowd pleaser! Several folks
>      stopped by to "check it out." Needless to say, I passed out over a
>      dozen business cards to people, including two piano instructors and a
>      music director for another church.
>
>      Did I mind the distracting noise produced from the choir's practice in
>      the back rooms? No way, as a matter of fact, I think I'll schedule the
>      next tuning on Sunday during first church service! (kidding)
>
>      If you're servicing a piano where there are several people lingering
>      about, consider pulling out the action! People love it. (And it's
>      sometimes good for business.)
>
>      Thanks for letting me share,
>
>      John Piesik, RPT
>