Aaaaarrrrrgh, Part Deux

[Michael Magness]

On 9/26/07, Alan Barnard <pianotuner at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>  A recent post said: "... I wouldn't ruin a perfectly good block by using
> CA as a stopgap method in a piano this new, I would recommend re-stringing
> with oversize saving the church the cost of a new block. No it isn't the
> greatest piano ever made but to ruin the block with CA because the tech has
> no foresight is negligent!"
>
> I mean nothing personal, here, but this is going to leave impressionable
> newbie minds with a wrong, wrong picture. The belief that CA does harm to
> the block is pure bullfeathers, twaddle, and poppycock and is, in mine umble
> opinion, based on misinformation, lack of experience, or outright
> superciliousness. CA in no way "ruins" a pinblock. If you want to restring
> with larger pins, go for it: but it's a might expensive repair compared to 2
> oz of CA. And if you start with the CA and later desire to put in larger
> pins or whatever, the option is still there and the previous use of the
> chemical will in no wise be a problem.
>
> As to CA not working well in a dry climate, why would it not? It's not
> "dope" that depends on pulling in ambient moisture, it is a permanent (or
> seemingly) replacement of the missing wood fibres. You may have to generate
> a little humidity around the piano while it cures.
>
> And what's this nonsense about CA being a "stopgap method"? We now have
> years of experience in a variety of climates and all kinds of pianos that is
> wholly persuasive: CA is an effective, inexpensive, *long-term* fix. There
> are occasional, anecdotal reports where it didn't work; in such cases, I
> suspect delamination and/or cracking or really, totally shot blocks in the
> first place.
>
> Others! Feel free to share your thoughts. I'm reeeeeeaally not picking a
> fight with the person I quote above, I just think these notions are flat
> wrong and I don't want techs out there condemning otherwise perfectly(?)
> good pianos or engaging in heroic, expensive efforts to save them--when an
> hour with tilter and glue bottle can save the day, the piano, and the
> customer.
>
> I still feel bad about the woman who trashed her magnificent 1890
> piano--one of the most beautiful cases I have ever seen--because she wasn't
> enough of a player and hadn't the money to "restore" the pinblock. Her
> husband chopped it up and threw it away because I, little old ignorant me,
> told her the block was shot and the repairs would cost such and such much.
> This was about a month before I first heard of the CA fix. I think it's a
> miracle-cure, frankly; akin to the discovery of penicillin!
>
> Alan Barnard
> Salem, MO
>
> P.S. The "tech has no foresight" if he/she uses CA? What the h-e-double-l
> does *that* mean?
>
Alan I stand corrected, since CA is the miracle cure, restringing should
become a rare thing soon?

My point was/is if the pins are drivable that should/is the first option. I
feel, strictly MY opinion, that there are those who are too quick with the
CA when other options are possible/probable. I return to my teacher in class
telling us to leave the piano in such condition that the next tech will be
able to repair your repairs without undue effort. CA in many cases makes
that impossible.

See Paul Bruesch's post, he get's it!
Mike
-- 
A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging
their prejudices.

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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