Joe Goss/"Story & Clark Cowboy Piano"????

[Ned Swift]

Hi Joe

I too service one of those "cowboy pianos".  The woman who owns it has her 
house done in southwestern decor so it fits in well.  She bought it at a 
garage sale for $50.  It went through a small fire a few years back so she 
wanted it refinished.  A most interesting project.  The leather straps were 
completely shot so I had to replace them.  Seems like it took 13 feet of 
leather per strap.  Since they don't make cows that long, I had to expand my 
horizions into the area of leather craft.  Actually joined several shorter 
leather straps together using a process called skiving. (sp?)  Even replaced 
the brass tacks around the sound holes.  With a new set of key tops, she now 
has a wonderful piece of furniture.  She seldom plays it and only has it 
tuned about every 5 years but she is happy with it.  I even gave her a copy 
of the "Sons of the Pioneers" picture from the atlas.  She has it in a frame 
above her piano.  I have often wondered how many of those pianos were made.  
I suspect very few.  I am glad to know that I am not the only one to see one 
of those pianos.

Ned Swift
Lowell, MI

>Hi Joe
>Well fella it is pictured on page 363 of the 9th edition of the Pierce 
>Piano
>Atlas.
>In the picture are "The Sons Of Pioneers" If you look closely you can see a
>longhorn's head.
>The horns have silver tips!
>With Bob Pierce standing in the center ( without a cowboy hat ) and the
><piano>
>If you know they are there you can see  the belting that was strung at both
>ends of the piano ( under the key bed ) and in like manner under the bench
>( not shown )
>In moving the piano the belting was used for a hand hold ( not me ) and
>being over 50 years or so old, broke in three places  and had to be mended
>or all the belting replaced.
>AS the breaks were where they were not that well seen it was easy to ease
>the tension on the belting and attach the ends together with the crypoxy
>then re stretch the belting.
>Joe Goss
>

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