[pianotech] nomenclature

[Ron Nossaman]

On 11/14/2011 9:02 PM, David Nereson wrote:
>       I agree, but trouble is, there are many piano parts that have
> several "accepted" names used by those who should be adhering to some
> standard nomenclature.  What Yamaha calls a 'bottom frame' might be a
> 'kickboard' to Kawai. 'Regulating rail' was the proper term for what
> many techs now call the 'letoff rail.'  And I suppose most of us are
> aware of the different terms used by factory techs that are not common
> among those who never worked in a piano factory, such as 'fly' for the
> jack, 'roller' for the knuckle, or maybe 'balancier' for the repetition
> lever.  Even among those who know better, someone will insist on calling
> the plate the "harp" just because they think it's esoteric or cool or
> whatever.  What used to commonly be called the "wrest plank" is now
> almost always referred to as the "pinblock." And names of some case
> parts -- 'stretcher' and 'fall(-board)' come to mind -- were inherited
> from the furniture industry and others, such as 'capstan,' from the
> shipbuilders.  And of course many piano owners with older instruments
> are fairly certain that the "felts" or "pads" probably need attention.
>     I doubt that nomenclature will ever be 100% standardized, or agreed
> upon.  Just as with cars -- our "hood" is a "bonnet" to the Brits, and
> the "trunk" is the "boot."  Our "wrench" is their "spanner," etc.  Most
> of us think we know what a hubcap is, but it's really the wheel cover,
> and a true hubcap is only about two inches in diameter and can also be
> called a grease cup.
>      Fifteen or more years ago, the Journal published an article about
> why 'wippen' is the correct spelling of that part, and not "whippen,"
> but the latter persists.  And, though I don't like it either, so will
> other doohickeythingamabobwidgets.
>       --David Nereson, RPT

And after all these years, real information and communication of same is 
still way down on the priority list to either scoring style points or 
inventing nomenclature as you go along through unwillingness to look it 
up. A reasonably accurate assessment, and a compelling reason to curtail 
involvement.
Ron N