Betsy Ross pianos

[Susan Kline]

Hi, Roger

You ARE talking about the little M&R, I hope, which thankfully I've never 
seen. Most of what you are complaining about (block separation, noisy 
breaking butt springs, inordinate false beats, banjo-like tone [you're sure 
this isn't a Starck?], has never graced any Old Betsy of my acquaintance. 
Well, maybe they autodestruct on the Canadian border?

Now, a sluggish action --- that, I'll grant you. In fact, Lester mounted a 
little short damppchaser on the action support in the later ones, having 
already found out that the plastic flanges tend to seize up. Of course, 
like a death wish, this device speeded the destruction of the plastic 
elbows just above it. No use zapping the slow plastic flanges. I found this 
out the hard way, fresh out of school. Removed slow hammers with great 
care, zapped, they freed up, put them back in, (WITHOUT EVEN BREAKING 
THEM!) -- they seize back up as soon as they cool down.

Betsies -- I got credit in Betsies, even more than in Brambach grands.

Susan

-------------------------------------------------

>Hi Phil,
>               Yep they exists.  A very competitive piano with that
>wonderful Canadian Instrument, sold exclusively by the Hudson Bay Company
>and the Sears chain.  Dah, Dah. The Mason and Risch  Century 2.   Fanfare
>now.   Special features include, enhanced false beats.  Each instrument is
>so customized, to allow your favorite tooner to choose special scaling,  he
>can  toon to the falsie, or to pitch, which ever is louder.   Each unison
>has it's own vibrato especially built in,  making it very desirable to over
>weight Mezzo Soprano's.  Such music when the fat lady sings.  The keys like
>to take their time returning, this will delight the slow romantic players.
>  Butt springs add a delightful squeek, groan, and tympani section,  they
>are designed to break at the drop of a hat, this is called the control
>factor, not to be confused with QC,  So please treat it with gentle love.
>
>Other special features for technicians,  the back support and pin block
>assembly is designed to last 15yrs,  then separate. The maker considered
>this a no fault divorce.  The same happens with the bridges.
>It is understood that the manufacurer also had shares in a lag bolt
>company. And has cornered the market on epoxy distribution.
>
>Now as to piano tone, well it would seem to be a close relative to the
>Banjo.  We in Canada have a keen interest in trying to market these gems in
>the deep south. And are earnestly looking for technical representives in
>the area, to sell and maintain these fine historical works of art.     Will
>consider swamp land in Florida on trade, but no Gators.
>
>Only all maple actions will be exported. A special Robertson screw driver
>will be supplied at no cost.  Just in case you have to get the thingee
>apart.   Matches and lighter fluid will also be supplied at no charge, so
>as to relieve frustrations if it reaches the breaking point.
>
>A perfect 4th of July piano.   Bonfire, and fireworks.
>
>Have fun Roger
>
>
>At 06:02 PM 9/3/01 -0400, you wrote:
> >Is there such a thing as a Betsy Ross piano?   I have see that name used on
> >this list many times and I've always assumed it was a eupenism for an
> >extremely old piano.  Yesterday I received a call to estimate the cost of
> >restoring an old piano received as a gift.  When I asked the brand name, I
> >got "Betsy Ross." I broke out in laughter (I know it was unprofessional) and
> >so did the cutomer in embarrassment.
> >
> >Anyway, after hanging up, I went to "The Piano Book 4th" and found no
> >mention of the piano, however I did find some dates in the Pierce Atlas, but
> >no information.
> >
> >Question:  Anyone know any history of the piano?  Were they a decent piano
> >in their day?  In general, are they worth restoring?
> >
> >Phil Ryan
> >Miami Beach, FL
> >