<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C75D63.E457C010">  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Actually it’s just the pick-ups that are made by Helpinstill.  The piano is a MelodiPro by Aeolian.  It’s essentially a 64-note spinet, with single bass strings and 2-string unisons in the treble, in a road case, with pickups.<o:p></o:p> I don’t think they’re older than the mid-to-late 70’s.  That’s when I saw rock bands using them, and worked on quite a few in the 80’s.   <o:p></o:p> The main problems with them are: <o:p></o:p> a) They were made by Aeolian, and were essentially POS’s.  [that’s “pieces of s....”, as opposed to PSO’s, which are “piano-shaped objects.”]  <o:p></o:p> b) They’re real string-breakers, partly because they were used by rockers who had a heavy (pounding) “touch,” but I think also because they must’ve had a high-tension scale and hard hammers.   <o:p></o:p> c) They also have extremely high inharmonicity, making the bass almost impossible to tune (like on Yamaha CP-70’s).  I remember lead guitarists saying I didn’t tune it right because the high notes didn’t match their guitars or their (to them) infallible quartz guitar tuners.  <o:p></o:p> d) The pickups seem to always come loose and buzz against the strings.  I forget what I used to do about that – whatever I could, I suppose.  I forget how they were mounted in there, but I remember it being a crappy system.   <o:p></o:p> e) They would react wildly with the changing seasons, going way sharp in the summer and way flat in the winter, due to the small soundboard, I guess.<o:p></o:p>  f) The key bushings wore out in no time, as I remember.<o:p></o:p>             g)  If I remember right, the action brackets didn’t have feet, so the action wouldn’t stand up by itself – you had to lean it against something or use a cradle, which was a major hassle on a crowded bandstand or rehearsal space with cables and other equipment everywhere, and bad lighting.  (Not to mention having to unhook and later re-hook-up all the lifter wires.      <o:p></o:p> I don’t think they’re worth putting much, if any money into.  Better to look for a CP-70 or 80, if it’s an acoustic-sounding road piano that he wants.  If it’s for home use, better to buy a “real” spinet or even an electronic keyboard with weighted keys (simulated piano touch, as opposed to the organ-type touch).  <o:p></o:p>             --David Nereson, RPT<o:p></o:p>   <o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>             <o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf Of pianowerks.inc@comcast.net Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 12:14 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Hellpinstill (appropriately named)<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> Hi all,<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Had the opportunity to (try) and service and (try) to tune a Hellpinstill yesterday.  Weird little portable spinet in a professional road-case from the sixties(?).<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Anyone else ever worked on one of these?  The owner is interested in putting some money into it but I'd like to hear if I should just run away.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Thanks in advance,<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Brad Haskins<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>