[pianotech] question about a 64 key piano

[David Stocker]

I serviced one for four or five years in a row when a band would make their annual appearance at a local lounge. This one was a more typical 64 key Aeolian product with the Helpinstil pickup installed at the factory. Two string unisons, no fold-up keyboard. I doubt an special knowledge is required, other than typical technician outsmarting engineer smarts we need every day. 

David Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA

From: Paul McCloud 
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 19:41
To: pianotech at ptg.org 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] question about a 64 key piano

If this is like the one I occasionally service,  you shouldn't have too many problems tuning it.  It has two strings per unison.  The keyboard folds down, with "forks" at the end of the key that hook into  stickers like on a spinet.  Not too much tone out of the thing, but hey, it's portable and has a  real soundboard (hmm, is there one?  Memory-BAD).  Interesting contraption anyway.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Ross 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Sent: 12/03/2010 3:15:17 PM 
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] question about a 64 key piano

  If I remember right the Helpinstall piano was a fold up piano used by bands. 
  I don't remember any particular problem.
  Have them set it up for you.
  It was 20 or 30 years ago that I tuned it. So if it is newer, it might be a completely different animal.
  Seems as if I had to plug the holes for the screws that held the plate in.
  John Ross
  Windsor, Nova Scotia

  On 2010-12-03, at 7:01 PM, Marshall Gisondi wrote:


    Hi everyone,
    I received an e-mail about a 64-key Aeolian Melodipro Piano with a Helpinstill pickup in it.  If I agree to take this piano job, the tuning, is there anything that must be removed in order to access the strings or is this Helpinstill Pickup located in a different area of the piano?  This is something I'm not familiar with, well the brand name yes, but the Helpinstill Pickup no.  Any ideas would be great or things to be aware of.  thanks
    Marshall
    ps. Today I finished up a tuning.  I tuned in a living room which became qutie dark as I finished up.  As i finised up, the customers kids who were home asked if ineded light.  Thank the Lord for my vision impaired skills in tuning, who needs sight right? :-)  I'm fort unate to have sight, but if I can't use it i'm still in ok shape.
    Marshall
     
    Marshall Gisondi Piano Technician
    Marshall's Piano Service
    pianotune05 at hotmail.com
    215-510-9400
    www.phillytuner.com 
    Graduate of The School of Piano Technology for the Blind www.pianotuningschool.org Vancouver, WA







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