Betsy Ross pianos

[jolly roger]

Mmmmmmmmmm Now this stimulates thought.  Imagine a dozen grands hitting the
pavement at the Finale of the 1812,  better than the cannons.   What a
press event for PTG,  National news coverage,



At 10:43 PM 9/3/01 -0400, you wrote:
>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
>> >
>>
>