[pianotech] Familiarity - hinge pins

[Terry Farrell]

Thanks for sharing Keith. I ALWAYS check hinge pins before opening the  
lid on a grand that is new to me, but I have to admit to blindly  
opening lids on pianos that I see frequently. I will be more observant  
in the future.

I don't usually go over to the flat side of the piano to visually  
check hinges, but rather open the lid an inch or so and give it a  
wiggle left and right to see if there is any looseness - but I'll do  
that on EVERY lid EVERY time from now on!

How did things turn out? Was the lid in good condition prior to your  
adventure - and how much damage was inflicted?

Terry Farrell

On Dec 4, 2010, at 12:53 PM, Mr. Mac's wrote:

> Dear List,
>
> An incident happened today I felt worthy of sharing.
>
> A harpsichord that I have tuned at a minimum of twice a year for  
> easily 30+ years was, once again, tuned by me again this morning for  
> a special event.
>
> Lo and behold, someone had removed all four (4) of the hinge pins.  
> Never before has this ever happened.
>
> Needless to say, I was quite surprised to watch AND listen (in  
> somewhat anguish) the lid slide off the instrument into the  
> conductor's stand ... into the platform ... onto the floor. The Fine  
> Arts Secretary, who happened to be in the auditorium at the time  
> says, "Are you okay?" To wit I replied, "Yes. Someone removed the  
> hinge pins. Do you know where they are?"
>
> "No" was her reply. Looking everywhere I could suspect they might  
> be, they were nowhere to be found.
>
> Moral:
> Don't become familiar with your work. Check every single time before  
> lifting a lid on any instrument to verify there are, in fact, hinge  
> pins inserted in the hinges, and defer a similar experience.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Keith McGavern, RPT