Pianotech

Today I attempted to tune a 70 cent flat stencil 4'11" Chinese Grand. All the hammers were off center, rubbing together and the iron soft pedal 
mechanism was binding thus locking the action in the cavity. The dampers were sluggish and so were the keys.
      After 4 hours of battle I managed to present something similar to a piano to the client. I told the client I felt I had been whooped with an ugly stick and please don't call me again to service that piano. I have serviced other instruments for them over the years and they recognize the trouble I was facing.
      My advice is if you get the opportunity to service a stencil Chinese Grand....DONT! Of course I'm at a point in my career I can pick and choose.

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Thomas Black
Decatur AL
256-350-9315
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So.... for clarity's sake, was Stencil the name on the fall board? Or was it something more like "Kohler & Campbell"?

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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2018 17:50
From: Thomas Black
Subject: Stencil Grand

Today I attempted to tune a 70 cent flat stencil 4'11" Chinese Grand. All the hammers were off center, rubbing together and the iron soft pedal
mechanism was binding thus locking the action in the cavity. The dampers were sluggish and so were the keys.
      After 4 hours of battle I managed to present something similar to a piano to the client. I told the client I felt I had been whooped with an ugly stick and please don't call me again to service that piano. I have serviced other instruments for them over the years and they recognize the trouble I was facing.
      My advice is if you get the opportunity to service a stencil Chinese Grand....DONT! Of course I'm at a point in my career I can pick and choose.

------------------------------
Thomas Black
Decatur AL
256-350-9315
------------------------------

How old was it?

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Regards,

Jon Page
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2018 17:50
From: Thomas Black
Subject: Stencil Grand

Today I attempted to tune a 70 cent flat stencil 4'11" Chinese Grand. All the hammers were off center, rubbing together and the iron soft pedal
mechanism was binding thus locking the action in the cavity. The dampers were sluggish and so were the keys.
      After 4 hours of battle I managed to present something similar to a piano to the client. I told the client I felt I had been whooped with an ugly stick and please don't call me again to service that piano. I have serviced other instruments for them over the years and they recognize the trouble I was facing.
      My advice is if you get the opportunity to service a stencil Chinese Grand....DONT! Of course I'm at a point in my career I can pick and choose.

------------------------------
Thomas Black
Decatur AL
256-350-9315
------------------------------

High gloss ebony, maybe 10yrs. at most, maybe even less. Great furniture!

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

How old was it?

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Regards,

Jon Page
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Oh, it even had a factory installed player system.....all the bells and whistles.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

High gloss ebony, maybe 10yrs. at most, maybe even less. Great furniture!

Sent from my iPhone

Well Benjamin,
I call Stencil Grands, usually inexpensive models with any name added per customers request. In this case the company that sold it who is now out of business. You can find companies that will put your name on it if you wish....BEN’S

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Today I attempted to tune a 70 cent flat stencil 4'11" Chinese Grand. All the hammers were off center, rubbing together and the iron soft pedal 
mechanism was binding thus locking the action in the cavity. The dampers were sluggish and so were the keys.
      After 4 hours of battle I managed to present something similar to a piano to the client. I told the client I felt I had been whooped with an ugly stick and please don't call me again to service that piano. I have serviced other instruments for them over the years and they recognize the trouble I was facing.
      My advice is if you get the opportunity to service a stencil Chinese Grand....DONT! Of course I'm at a point in my career I can pick and choose.

------------------------------
Thomas Black
Decatur AL
256-350-9315
------------------------------