Betsy Ross pianos

[Farrell]

What a delight! Fourth of July, HA! Roger, this brings us full circle on the
trebuchet question. I say three divisions: spinets, old uprights, and little
cheep early 1900s grands (Brambach, et. al.). First annual trebuchet contest
next June in Chicago. Find a nice deserted/abandoned concrete road and let
'em rip. (Hey, maybe we could rig a machine and see how far we can skip the
grands out into Lake Michigan! - And then the local sailing club could use
them as moorings! They could live on as they were meant to!) Think of the
possibilities. These instruments would never have sounded so good as that
last big cord when the metal hits the road!

Good Naaght & Sweet Dreams Ya'll.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: "jolly roger" <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: Betsy Ross pianos


>
> 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
> >
>