Digital Camera, was A better mouse trap?

[Ken Gerler]

Wayne,
I just got mine about 4 weeks ago and am having fun at taking pictures of
unusual things - a Kimball 5'8" that a hitch pin gave way and progress as I
repaired it; unusual Cameo 3/4 piano with a music desk that folded down so
you could use the piano as a desk (had a couple of drawers and a large
cubbie hole); and a couple of "different" upright actions I've run into;
etc.

Have to put a "book mark" in your brain for future experiences.

Ken Gerler

Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 07:08:43 -0800
From: "ibetuner" <ibetuner@sbcglobal.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: A better mouse trap?
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About three weeks ago I serviced a new grand with a PianoDisc unit. I found
a pedal spring missing and told the customer I'd order a new one and install
it.

Last week I returned with the spring and as she let me in the house she
said, "you know my piano stinks".

I said, "Stinks! Why would it stink? It's a new piano and I was just here a
few weeks ago and it was fine".

She said, "My husband and I both think it stinks and we closed it up because
it's so bad".

I told her I'd open the piano and take a look. I had a "code in my nose"
that day so I couldn't really experience what she was talking about.
However, I thought I did notice a slight unusual odor.

I took out my handy-dandy Spurlock soundboard cleaning tools and fished
under the plate in search for something that shouldn't be there. Nothing.

Told her I'd pull the action and look inside, but first let me install the
spring.

Got under  and looked at the PianoDisc pedal action bracket and
lo-and-behold I said, "Here's your problem...I see a tail hanging out".

She screamed, jumped around, ran through the house, waved her arms over and
over again.

This lady had a nice large, clean home and had just moved in a few months
ago. She was frantic!

I got some paper and proceeded to pull out a 6" dead rat that had become
caught in the mechanism while it was playing. SQUOOSH!

I will not go into detail about his condition other than to say it took me
an hour to clean up the red mess...


Do I still want to work on pianos? You bet...and the lady was extremely
thankful for my service. Got a customer for life.

I carry a digital camera for this sort of thing but totally forgot about it
and missed a great opportunity to photograph an original "Better Mouse
Trap".


Wayne Lutzow
Lincoln, CA
Sacramento Valley PTG

Also told her I didn't think this was covered by the warranty.