[pianotech] Thomas piano

[Ken & Pat Gerler]

Norm,
"Many" years ago I saw one of these pianos and at that time the plastic 
pivots in the aluminum center rail (in lieu of center rail pin and key 
button) were failing and I turned the job down, so I never got to the tuning 
pins to discover what kind of torque there may have been in the tuning pins. 
Sounds like the piano you serviced was still in tact.

Ken Gerler
Gerler Piano & Organ Service
12425 Parkwood Lane
Florissant(Black Jack), MO 63033-4662
kenneth.gerler at prodigy.net
1-314-355-2339
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Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:37:13 -0500
From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Thomas piano
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Message-ID:
<OFE08EF4B1.1C8624DF-ON86257594.00762D78-86257594.0076B88B at unl.edu>
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Hey Norm.

When I was studying with Steve Brady, I had a '47 Aldrich console with the
dreaded aluminum plate.  What a great instrument to learn to tune
on...NOT!  I figured after a while, that if I could tune that...I could
tune anything!!  So far...so good! Had a decent Pratt-Reid action and I
think the piano was actually a Cable, but don't remember
now...'old-timers' starting to set in!!

Please let the people know that with an aluminum plate, the tuning is only
good until I reach my car and drive off!!! <G>....or until the sun sets!

Best luck

Paul
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Norman Dutton <duttonpiano at earthlink.net>
Sent by: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
04/09/2009 10:54 PM
Subject[pianotech] Thomas piano

Hi All,

I am Dave Ilvedson's not-so-newbie associate.

Recently, I tuned a Thomas console piano for one of Dave's clients. Dave
has not tuned this piano. The piano has an aluminum frame, and very
little wood used in the action. It was mostly plastic. The way the pins
"felt" as I was tuning the piano made me wonder if the pinblock was even
wood. The label in the case said "Thomas Organ Co." Some of the parts,
like the keys, looked like they were made for an organ.

I am curious to know if anybody else has had any experience with one of
these pianos, and/or has some insight into the company.

Thanks!

Norm Dutton
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