Pianotech

  • 1.  plaque placement

    Posted 12-02-2017 13:20
    I have been asked to design and install a commemorative plaque on a 30 year old Chickering Grand that was donated to the chancellor of a local university.
    It will reside in his residence so it will be for parties and gatherings and show etc as I can imagine.

    They what the plaque to highlight/recognize tho donor for all to see so there are obvious questions like where in the room will the piano be, do you want to see the plaque all the time even when the piano is played, engrave in brass? probably other questions too like how large etc.

    So I need to find a quality engraver.

    But Id like to hear from anyone who has had experience doing similar because this is a first for me.

    They are wanting me to design and install it.

    Im thinking either on the underside of the fall-board or somewhere on the stretcher. Underside of fall-board would only be visible when playing unless it stays up all the time.

    Would a brass plaque be glued on, inlayed into the veneer??

    Anyone have a pic of similar that can be posted.

    Thanks for any ideas and experience.

    Gene


  • 2.  RE: plaque placement

    Posted 12-02-2017 13:39
    I've had some custom plaques made. Mine were stainless steel engraved with my company name in black old english for my VCG.
    I liked the look against a gold string frame.
    Easy to attach too. Drill and tap a couple holes, screw it in place. Won't go any where on its own.



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  • 3.  RE: plaque placement

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-02-2017 13:47
    Gene.  

    Attaching thd plaque will be the easy part.  As Chris just said, drill four holes and use small round headed brass screws.  

    But what's more important is what's written on the plaque and where it's placed.  For that I would ask the donor and/or the Chancellor for advice.  Give some suggestions as to where to place it, depending on how visible they want the plaque. And certainly ask what they want said in it.  

    Let them make those crucial decisions.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: plaque placement

    Posted 12-03-2017 11:45
    Wim give the correct advice as usual. 

    I have gone even a step further and given the person, who donates a piano to a organization, the address of a local Trophy Shop that will make the plaque so the donor can choose the plaque, the wording, and the color and they can pay for it. I also ask if they will place the plaque on the piano. If they think I should do the placement, since they can't I do it, and if they don't care where, I place it in the most discreet place. Sadly, as we all have experienced, donated pianos are often ones a family just want's to get rid of and some aren't worth placing a plaque on. So when the organization, that gets the donated piano and wants to upgrade it, causes a rift, since the plaque piano donator may no longer donate any money to the organization since they tossed out the memorial plaque piano or moved it to another location and got a better newer one. As a piano technician you don't want to be involved in a dispute that infers that, "that piano tuner put the plaque on the piano because he or she tuned it for the deceased owner for years and just want's to make money repairing the old clunker." This is a problem that a piano service person should avoid. Plaques in honor of someone should go on donated memorial monuments, historic buildings or acres of land, fine sculptures, ships, planes, cars,  art work things, huge pipe organs, or pianos that cost or are appraised at a half million dollars or more. 

    Bob Highfield



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  • 5.  RE: plaque placement

    Posted 12-02-2017 16:19
    The most visible, at all times, is directly on the side of the case on the treble. As for the size of the letters; how far away do they want the text to be able to be read? Do they want the audience to be able to read it during a performance?

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: plaque placement

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-02-2017 17:04
    We just received a donated piano and accompanying commemorative plaque. Plan on putting it where Jon mentioned, which is the most visible spot from the perspective of the "audience" (and those in proximity to the instrument).

    Alan


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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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    Original Message