Stephanie, Could your piano be a Melody Spinet? I've seen them with 61 keys, not a full keyboard.I'd be interested to know what you find out. Judy >From owner-pianotech@ptg.org Thu Sep 10 20:58:12 1998 >Received: (from majordomo@localhost) > by bridget.rudoff.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) id VAA15657 > for pianotech-digest-outgoing; Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:56:09 -0600 (MDT) >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:56:09 -0600 (MDT) >Message-Id: <199809110356.VAA15657@bridget.rudoff.com> >From: owner-pianotech-digest@ptg.org (pianotech-digest) >To: pianotech-digest@ptg.org >Subject: pianotech-digest V1997 #1130 >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org >Sender: owner-pianotech-digest@ptg.org >Errors-To: owner-pianotech-digest@ptg.org >Precedence: bulk > > >pianotech-digest Thursday, September 10 1998 Volume 1997 : Number 1130 > > > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:19:07 EDT >From: Steplen@aol.com >Subject: spinet > >I recently saw a spinet piano #458553 which has no visible manufacturer's >name. It has a full keyboard but has only two strings for each treble note. >Does anyone know who the manufacturer of this piano might be? > >Thanks. > > >Stephanie Miele >Falmouth,MA > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 18:19:51 -0700 (PDT) >From: kam544@earthlink.net >Subject: Re: removing sticky tape stuff - revisited > >>Speculation aside, how sticky is it? > >Not how sticky is it, but how sticky was it. Very sticky! > >>Or asked another way, "What have you tried, that didn't work". > >After seeing the results of Fantastik, I lost all interest in trying >anything else. > >>Jeepers Creepers, :-) >> >>Jon Page > >Where'd you get those peepers, > >Keith McGavern >kam544@earthlink.net >Registered Piano Technician >Oklahoma Chapter 731 >Piano Technicians Guild >USA > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 18:35:41 -0700 >From: Ed Carwithen <musicman@eoni.com> >Subject: Re: damper blocks > >Joe: > >Rats: >I just sent of a check for damper blocks and felts this am. Let me see >what comes back, and I may come back to you. Thanks for responding, I just >wish I had checked my email earlier. > >Ed > > >At 07:56 PM 9/8/98 -0600, you wrote: >>Ed, >>I think that there might be a full set in my repair parts that haven't seen >>the light of day since purchased 20 years ago. They are the old style that >>need the wood block with set screw and wood damper with felt. I would need >>measurements to confirm that they are the ones you need. >>Joe Goss >>---------- >>> From: Ed Carwithen <musicman@eoni.com> >>> To: pianotech@ptg.org >>> Subject: damper blockss >>> Date: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 8:33 AM >>> >>> I'm trying to rebuild an old "Arion" piano, more for self-instruction >>than >>> anything else, still I would hope that eventually it will be playable. >>> >>> I need to replace the damper blocks themselves, not just the damper >>felts. >>> Several missing, some are broken in two. Schaff doesn't stock them, and >>> doesn't have anyone to suggest. Does anyone on the list know where I >>could >>> get a set of these damper blocks???? >>> >>> Ed Carwithen >>> John Day, OR >>> >> >> > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 19:45:39 -0600 >From: "Joe & Penny Goss" <imatunr@primenet.com> >Subject: Re: Damper Lift Rod > >Paul, >Remove the action and carefully inspect what happens when each part moves. >My best guess is that you will find that the damper rod pivot points ( the >Ells that attach the rod to the action frame) are bent, or the >felt-leather used to regulate the slave rod has worn to the point that it >needs replaced. Or a combination of both >Joe Goss > >- ---------- >> From: Paul Plumb <plumb@execulink.com> >> To: PTG chat line <pianotech@ptg.org> >> Subject: Damper Lift Rod >> Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 7:09 PM >> >> Dear List, >> >> I have a customer with a problem with a damper lift rod on a LeSage >piano >> made in Quebec in the 50's. Mediocre quality console. The right pedal >> attaches to the damper lift rod at the treble end. The bass end has a >bass >> sustain which uses the middle pedal. The two are connected between the >> bass and tenor. When the right pedal is depressed the treble end lifts >> well (3/8 from strings) and then lifts less and less as it progresses >> through and ends with no lift in the low tenor . The bass is also lifted >> slightly (1/32 from strings, if that). This produces sustain in the bass >> and treble, and none in the tenor. >> The lady says that the pedal was getting harder to use for about two >years >> before the pedal prop?, bolt?, can't think of the word - anyway it broke. > >> I repaired that but found the problem above. Is it possible that the >> damper lift rod is flexing? It appears to be made out of brass. Is >there >> a repair cure or do I need to replace the rod? >> >> Paul Plumb, B.Mus., PTG Associate Member >> Plumb Pianos >> > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 22:03:06 -0400 >From: Phil Bondi <tito@peganet.com> >Subject: Re: who-ray! > >John M. Ross wrote: > >> Does that mean that your's was shipped. >> Just as a matter of interest, what number on the list, are you? > >Hi John..I'm #4..I just happen to be at the sign-up sheet when it came out. >I was talking to Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Crabb, and Sir Coleman, Sr. > >Phil > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:14:20 -0500 >From: Vanderhoofven <dkvander@clandjop.com> >Subject: Resources: Atlas and magazines > >Dear Friends, > >I am sending this again with no coding. I am sorry, I didn't realize that >my e-mail program would cause a problem. > >David V > >Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer > >On my tuning rounds I travel over a 7 or 8 county area in Southwest >Missouri. I have a nice brand new Rand-McNally Road Atlas of the United >States and Canada, but it does not have enough detail, and I was having >difficulty finding a road map that showed all of the little county roads >and lanes. I have recently discovered a new road atlas that has been >helpful to me (i.e. keeping me from getting lost on such a regular basis). > >I purchased the Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer at Walmart for about $16.95. >You can also see more about it on the web at http://www.delorme.com. >DeLorme, P.O. Box 298, Yarmouth, Maine 04096, Phone (207) 846-7000. Each >page contains a detailed map of one small area of the state, usually about >2 or 3 counties. The detail shows all of the small county highways and >roads, including creeks, rivers and lakes. > >Piano and Keyboard Magazine > >An excellent periodical that I would highly recommend for you to read is >Piano & Keyboard Magazine. If you have any clients who are piano teachers >or professional musicians, you ought to become familiar with this magazine. > >The most recent issue (September/October 1998) contained letters to the >editor about the new D.S. Standard piano keyboard which is 7/8 the size of >a normal keyboard (Remember, you read about it here on the Pianotech list >about 6 months ago!). > >There was a short article (page 12) about the new custom-designed cherry 9' >Baldwin ConcertMaster grand that President and Mrs. Clinton recently were >given. Page 70 has a one page article about the Baldwin ConcertMaster. >(See http://www.concertmaster.com) > >On page 24-27, there is an article about the new Revenaugh Lower Lid which >is supposed to help improve the tone of a concert grand piano. This lower >lid is a mirror image of the upper lid, and is designed to help focus the >sound from the underside of the soundboard out into the audience. >(Remember folks, it was discussed on Pianotech here a few months ago). > >There are also articles and advertisements about concert pianists, piano >competitions and festivals, teachers, conservatories of music, teaching >methods, new piano designs and review of books relating to the piano. Page >55 has a 1/4 page add promoting Registered Piano Technicians of the PTG. >Ads from Young Chang, Yamaha, Kawai, New England Classic Piano >Restorations, Fandrich and Sons, Bluthner, Mason & Hamlin, and Boston round >out the issue. > >A one year subscription (6 issues) to Piano & Keyboard is $23.95, and a 2 >year subscription ( 12 issues) is $39.95. A special student rate of $14.95 >per year is available with for piano students. If you can't get a >subscription for yourself, at least you can check it out from your local >library or recommend it to teachers and students that you know. > >The address is: >Piano & Keyboard Magazine >P.O. Box 2626 >San Anselmo, CA 94979-2626 >(800) 233-3690 > >The Church Pianist > >I recently was shown a magazine that contains beautiful arrangements of >hymns and religious songs for pianists to play at church during an >offertory or other time of meditation during the worship service. I think >the cost is about $30.00 for a 1 year subscription. The entire magazine is >just music, I don't think there are any articles or advertisements. > > >The Church Pianist >Lorenz Publishing Co. >501 E. 3rd St. >P.O. Box 802 >Dayton, OH 45401-0802 > > >I hope that you will find these resources valuable to you and your clients! > >I am sorry if you are getting this message twice. Our Internet Service >Provider evidently crashed over the last weekend. > >Sincerely, >David A. Vanderhoofven, RPT >Joplin, MO >dkvander@clandjop.com > >http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/ > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 22:26:15 -0400 >From: Robert Scott <rscott@wwnet.net> >Subject: Newsgroup: alt.music.piano-technician > >Regarding the new USENET newsgroup, alt.music.piano-technician, >I occasionally participate in several other USENET newsgroups, >and there are some pros and cons that I would like to pass along. > >First the pros. You normally get a look at the headers for >newsgroups before you decide which ones you want to read. >If the subject does not interest you, then you don't waste any >time downloading the article. When you go away on vacation, >your e-mail IN box does not fill up. The newsreader programs >generally organize articles into "threads" so that it is easy >to read all the responses in a single thread instead of having >to sift through all the postings in a listserv. > >Now the cons. People are generally much meaner in USENET >newsgroups than they are on pianotech. Don't venture there >if your feelings are easily hurt. Also, junk e-mailers gather >up e-mail addresses from the USENET newsgroups to form their >junk e-mail lists. If you post something in a USENET newsgroup >using your real e-mail address as the "reply to" address, you >can count on getting a lot more junk e-mail. Fortunately, there >is something you can do about this. Most newsreader programs >(like Forte's Agent) allow you to set a preference to use an >incorrect "reply to" address. I like to use "noone@noplace.com". >This gives the spammers nothing to work with. But then what if >you would really like legitimate e-mail replies to your postings? >Many people use a "reply to" address that is their real address >with some obvious bogus stuff thrown in. Then you can include >in your automatic signature some instructions for legitimate >respondants to use in getting your real e-mail address, such >as "for my real e-mail address, delete the "NOSPAM"". > >If you are already experienced with USENET newsgroups, note that >alt.music.piano-technician has no "s" on the end. Bill Simon >posted that he could not find the group, but he used "technicians". >Also, it is a new group, and unless you have updated your list >of groups online recently, it won't automatically appear in your >list of groups. If any of you have looked at the old newsgroup >called rec.music.makers.piano you know that it is mostly for >piano players. Only rarely does anything of a technical nature >ever get posted, so this new group could really serve a different >need. But when I looked at alt.music.piano-technician all >I saw was one posting. > >Bob Scott >Ann Arbor, Michigan > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 22:41:30 -0400 >From: John Hartman <pianocraft@sprintmail.com> >Subject: In defense of TAR (Was S&S retrofit rails ?) > >In defense of TAR > >I think the tubular action rail (TAR) works well and serves a definite >function. I believe the rails were designed to virtually eliminate wood >movement problems. This design dates from the 1870 and if you are >familiar with the wood rails used in the Steinway grand piano before >this time you can appreciate what a huge improvement they were. The >brackets on the earlier wood rails were glued to the key frame. The new >design allowed for easy access to the keys and the removal of the upper >part of the action as a subassembly. The old wood brackets and wood >rails exhibited undue wood movement that effected the stability of >action regulating. The new tubular rails eliminated wood movement >between the rails. They also were rigid and would maintain alignment >when removed from the key frame. Tubular rails are at least as stiff as >these earlier wood rails. > >Maybe another aspect can be seen in how the new rail shape brings the >action centers closer inline along the grain to where the flange is >screwed to the rail. This will reduce the amount the flange centers will >move in relation to the rails. Also the rail profile allows the flange >screw to pass through less wood. The thickness of the Renner Steinway >hammer flange is less than 6mm. The same measurement on an average flat >rail flange is 8mm. The Steinway design reduces the stresses on the >flange due to wood movement. There are other factors as well such as >allowing for a lower string height and less room needed at the breaks >for the rail to fit. Ever notice how hard it is to access the front >screws on smaller M&Hs and how much the keys have to be altered to >accommodate the flanges. > >Here are some pointers on working with TARs. >1. Use the pre-glued felt sold by Steinway under the hammer shanks. This >will help the shanks stay adjusted. >2. Use shanks that have screw holes larger than the screws to help with >spacing. Renner parts come this way but some others will need to be >re-drilled. >3. Use high quality cut thread hammer flange screws. Cost more but will >reduce hole stripping. >4. Do not over twist shank flanges to space. Instead travel the shanks >in areas were the string pacing is to close together or erratic. The >hammer should be evenly space at rest but may travel a little to hit the >strings. >5. Space the strings to the hammers in the De-capo area. >6. For fine spacing get the spacing tool Renner sells. Grind the sides >to fit between the flanges better. >7. Either set up to replace action rails or find some one to do it for >you. > >John Hartman >Beacon NY >Rebuilding Steinway piano with minimum re-engineering since 1979. > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 22:52:21 EDT >From: Wimblees@aol.com >Subject: Re: like mother like daughter > >In a message dated 98-09-10 12:38:19 EDT, you write: > ><< Wim, > I believe Barbara Martin, RPT from Indianapolis, and her daughter (sorry, > don't know her name) work together in the same business. > > What's your "underlying reason for the inquiry" Wim? > > Jeannie Grassi, RPT >> > > >Jeanie: > >Thanks for that information. Is there anyone from Indianapolisr, Ron or Bob, >that can confrimt his? > >And there really is not an underlying reason for this. I am just curious, >that's all. Honest. > >Wim > >------------------------------ > >Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:52:48 +1200 >From: "Alan W Deverell" <aland@casa.co.nz> >Subject: RE: Reverse Piano > >Barrie + Stephen etc. > >Yes I've seen these pictures etc. Based upon Stephen's "real-world" >encounter I suppose I'd better stop my protestations, ease up on the >skepticism and get in some LH practice. > >AlanD - (visions of "Helfgot & Seed" as duo pianists abound) > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org >>[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf >>Of Barrie Heaton >>Sent: Friday, September 11, 1998 4:14 AM >>To: pianotech@ptg.org >>Subject: Re: Reverse Piano >> >> >>In article <199809091425.KAA22533@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca>, Stephen >>Birkett <birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca> writes >>>Alan wrote: >>>> The more I hear about this the MORE skeptical I become - >>I suspect it >>>> is just a SPOOF - the version I heard was that it was designed for >>>> left handed Pianists - not a very big market me thinks:-))) >>>> >>>Definitely no. I can confirm this is not a spoof and >>completely serious. >>>And there are no plans to make anything but this one >>special order and no >>>plans to market anything. >> >>Well why not there has been odd pianos before why not a L/H >> >>All these had patens on them I have a picture of the round >>one a pitch >>would be interesting the true meaning of going round the >>piano to make >>it stable. >> >>Elliptic >> >>1825 Eulrio >>1828 Pape >> >>Circular >> >>1834 Pape >>1935 Fischer >> >> >>Hexagonal >>1835 Fischer >>1836 Pape >>1838 Stocker >>1839 Pape >> >>Lyre >>1826 Weisz >>1834 Eulri >> >>Oval >>1838 Pape >>1834 Pape >>1850 Pape >> >> >> >>Barrie >> >> >> >> >> >>-- >> >>Barrie Heaton | Be >>Environmentally Friendly >>URL: http://www.uk-piano.org/ | To Your Neighbour >>The UK Piano Page | >>pgp key on request | HAVE YOUR >>PIANO TUNED >> >> > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 22:54:41 EDT >From: Wimblees@aol.com >Subject: Re: Making new damper lift tray > >In a message dated 98-09-10 13:24:06 EDT, you write: > ><< 20 year old Sohmer grand, model 57 > > During a recent move, the pitman got wedged out of place and really warped > the damper lift tray. Even when the sustain pedal is adjusted with no lost > motion, the bass and treble dampers will not even lift off of the strings. > After adjusting all of the capstans on the lift tray that adjust damper > lift with the pedal, there is still only about 1/16" lift in the dampers. > > Has anyone had good experience in unwarping one of these damper lift trays? > Is it easier to make a new one? And lastly, how much time should I > estimate the job will take? (The moving company insurance will be paying >me.) > > Thanks! > David Vanderhoofven > >> > > >David: > >Are you sure the tray is warped? On some of these pianos, the tray is held in >place by L brackets. You might look to see if you can straighten the brackets >out to level out the tray. > >Wim > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:03:03 -0400 >From: Phil Ryan <pryan2@bellsouth.net> >Subject: Making sharps look sharp > >Dear list, > >Has anyone a method of restoring (painting) a set of sharps that is in >good condition, but the black paint has worn off? I've sprayed them >three times with thee different cans of black enamel from the hardware >store, but am not happy with the results- streaks, drips, runs, >roughness etc. when they dry. (They look good when the paint is wet). >I've sanded and/or steel-wooled between coats. > >Is there a specific brand of paint I should be using? Power sprayer? >primer? brush? The piano is not worth the effort of replacing the >sharps, but maybe it would be good experience...hmm > >Any thoughs on the subject would be appreciated. > >Gratefully, > >Phil Ryan >Assoc. PTG > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:03:47 EDT >From: Wimblees@aol.com >Subject: SAT III coming, was Re: who-ray! > >I got a call today, also, and am exctingly waiting for mine to arrive also. > >Wim > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:10:45 +0000 >From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@EN.COM> >Subject: Thank You! > >Lists, > Thank you for your overwhleming responses to the "Perplexing >Problem" post. >I am very grateful for your insight and experience. I gained a new >perspective and helpful information from each and every post. I >would thank each of you personally but I have received over 17 >responses so far!! Is this list great or what?????? > Greg Newell >Greg and Mary Ellen Newell >Greg's Piano Forte` >Lakewood, Ohio 44107 >gnewell@en.com > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:14:55 EDT >From: Wimblees@aol.com >Subject: answer to mystery noise > >On a 25 year old Baldwin console, (the kind with the rubber grommets), when >either of the two damper pedals is depressed, there is a click. What is it? >(answer in 1 week). > >Willem Blees > > >There do not seem to be any more suggestions coming in, so I will give the >answer. > >The screw on the last tenor damper head was hitting the action bracket when >the pedal was pushed. Since it was in the bass, it happened when both pedals >were used. > >I took care of the problem by adjusting the pedals so that they wouldn't lift >the dampers as far. > >Small, insignificant little problem, but it took me 15 minutes to find it. >Hopefully you can stuff this in the back of your memory, and recall it when >the same problem occurs. > >Willem > >------------------------------ > >Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2098 22:16:48 -0500 >From: "Jay/Deb Mercier" <mercier@minnewaska.com> >Subject: Re: spinet > >>I recently saw a spinet piano #458553 which has no visible manufacturer's >>name. It has a full keyboard but has only two strings for each treble >note. > > > >I have run into one of these pianos also, but can't remember the brand name >off hand. They do exist! > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:18:52 -0600 >From: "Joe & Penny Goss" <imatunr@primenet.com> >Subject: Re: SAT III coming, was Re: who-ray! > >#27 >No call yet O:( >Joe---------- >> From: Wimblees@aol.com >> To: pianotech@ptg.org >> Subject: SAT III coming, was Re: who-ray! >> Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 9:03 PM >> >> I got a call today, also, and am exctingly waiting for mine to arrive >also. >> >> Wim > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 20:20:39 -0700 >From: Delwin D Fandrich <pianobuilders@olynet.com> >Subject: Re: perplexing problem > >tech@steinway.com wrote: > >> Del and List, > >> . . . . >> >> Weigh-off is one of the last things done to a grand piano before it leaves >> our factory. The only operations done after are final polishing and final >> inspection - two to three weeks, at the most. Final regulation and 90% of >> voicing are done immediately prior to the weigh-off specifically so that >> they do not alter the touch-weight. There is simply no opportunity and no >> reason for leads to be removed before the piano leaves the factory. >> >> On the rare occasions that the Concert department has removed lead from a >> new piano, because of parts changes or hammer size reduction, they have >> always plugged the holes. >> >> If anyone on this list comes across a Steinway, just out of the box, that >> has empty holes in the keys, please let us know. We would be happy to help >> with plugs or replacement leads, and we would be very curious to know what >> happened to the original leads. >> >> Stephen Dove >> Steinway & Sons >> New York > >- ------------------------------------------------ > >Stephen, > >You're right. I cannot speak for the factory practices of today. However... > >As I've noted on this list in the past, most of my experience with new Steinway >pianos was from the mid seventies through the mid eighties. During this time it >was a common experience to find empty holes in the keys of some pianos. As it >was to find up to eight and nine leads in the keys of other pianos. > >If this is no longer the situation, that's wonderful. > >Del > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:35:10 EDT >From: DGPEAKE@aol.com >Subject: Re: Resources: Atlas and magazines > >In a message dated 98-09-10 19:46:40 EDT, you write: > ><< > On my tuning rounds I travel over > a 7 or 8 county area in Southwest Missouri. I have a nice brand new > Rand-McNally Road Atlas of the United States and Canada, but it does not > have enough detail, and I was having difficulty finding a road map that > showed all of the little county roads and lanes. I have recently > discovered a new road atlas that has been helpful to me (i.e. keeping me > from getting lost on such a regular basis). > > >> > >I use the Thomas Bros map which most Realtors use. Very detailed and covers >many county and country roads. I know. We live in the country. Hopefully it >is available in your area. > >Dave Peake, RPT >Oregon City, OR > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:39:59 -0400 >From: Ken Jankura <kenrpt@mail.cvn.net> >Subject: New mystery noise > > Mid 60's Wurlitzer spinet made a horrible rattling in the bass only >when I played an octave. Thats right, only when I played an upper octave >note. I thought something had dropped in the strings, but no. Here's a >clue: the hammers were sitting off the rail. Answer in a few days. > Ken Jankura > Newburg, PA > >------------------------------ > >Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:55:20 -0400 >From: Ken Jankura <kenrpt@mail.cvn.net> >Subject: Felt Warning > > > List, I recently serviced a nice Yamaha C7 where someone had muted off >an offending section of front duplex. As I was doing some regulation, >voicing, etc., I took it out to see if it was necessary. The entire area >where the felt was was crusty with rust. The felt looked like what is >commonly referred to as nameboard felt. I don't know what percentage >synthetic fiber is in that stuff, but it was enough to hold in the >moisture, and do some damage. The piano is only 12 years old. It may be >common knowledge, but please make sure to use only 100% wool felt against >strings. Is there any way to tell when felts are part synthetic. Aside from >seeing if they melt when you burn 'em :-) > Ken Jankura > >------------------------------ > >End of pianotech-digest V1997 #1130 >*********************************** > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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