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<DIV><FONT size=2>Yes list,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I was called several years ago to service a 6 month =
old Samick
studio that had "a few broken" strings "that should be replaced under
warrenty". When I got there, there were no less than 23 broken =
bass
strings ALL at the upper bridge. Needless to say, I left the bill =
with the
church and advised them to get a different musician or give "him" some =
lessons
on how and how not to play the piano.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Ken Gerler</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: =
0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A href="mailto:bholden@wave.co.nz" title=bholden@wave.co.nz>Brian =
Holden</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org"
title=pianotech@ptg.org>Pianotech Forum</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, November 24, =
1999 11:08
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Wham Bang</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I have been reading the comments =
regarding
breaking strings and Gospel pianists. I cannot hold off my 2c =
worth any
longer. I have been servicing a Yamaha P2 at a school for about =
15
years. Up until about 5 years ago there was no problem, then =
almost
overnight the bass strings started popping . I initially =
replaced them
with hexicores, but eventually succumbed to putting on a brand new =
replacement
set direct from the Yamaha suppliers. To my horror within a week =
one of
<EM>those </EM>broke. We narrowed it down to a church group that =
had
recently started hiring the hall, around the time that the problem =
initially
started. Even then, I thought it was just a coincidence. =
The
church group moved on and the problem stopped. They started =
meeting at
another school and yes you've guessed it - strings started breaking on =
that
piano too!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I found out that it was the =
<EM>same pianist
</EM>in both cases and when I discreetly asked someone how loud he =
played, the
answer was "hard - very hard". It transpired that he played a =
lot of
chords and used excessive use of the accelerator (sustain =
pedal). Thank
God he's now moved away. </FONT><FONT color=#000000 =
size=2>Another two
pianos I do at other churches of similar type also suffer regularly =
breaking
strings. Yes, I am convinced to the point of <EM>knowing, =
</EM>that the
consequences of hard playing result in broken strings and that the =
problem is
prevalent in Gospel type churches. My suggestion on more than =
one
occasion to the Pastor is to have the plate passed around twice - once =
for the
church and one for the piano repairs. Brian Holden =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I could go on about the treble =
strings that I
regularly have to replace on a new Yamaha U1 for a brilliant but heavy =
handed
child prodigy, but I think of gone well over time already.<EM>
</EM></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>