Pianotech

  • 1.  mounting a brass plaque on a celesta

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-09-2018 12:11
    Hello, all

    I have the pretty little brass plate in the attached photo, which I need to attach to the top of Newport Symphony's celesta. It's quite thin, about 1/16" perhaps, and the back is just the smooth brass. I had pictured something like a little hole in each corner, through which I would put screws, but now I wonder if some kind of adhesive film is the way to go. Can anyone with experience tell me how to do this?

    I'm putting it on top of the instrument, so it's right side up for someone standing in front of it. Once the case is opened and the player sits down, it will not be seen by either the player or the audience, hence no distraction, but it will be front and center, very obvious, when the case is closed.

    This is a celesta of a different color. I'm about 80% through refinishing it with French Polish and some aniline dye dissolved in 190 proof ethanol from the liquor store (which also made the shellac from flakes). It has worked very well! But I've had a lot more trouble filling the innumerable gouges, scrapes, dents, and scratches in a way which makes them invisible. I am still reading up, watching YouTubes, and ordering other products to use as fillers. I got it much more presentable (it had truly been a fright!) in time for their recent concert. It was played in Ernest Bloch's Baal Shem, and then put into its travel box for the rest of the concert, Beethoven 9! Done with great verve, excellent quality, tremendous concentration, and 3 local choirs which all were perfectly prepared and which all sang in tune, with enthusiasm! I truly hadn't realized how this piece needs to be heard in person!

    Anyway, I plan to keep working on the remaining case problems, mostly seriously banged up edges, till I can call it done, but I need to mount the name plate on it. Hopefully some of you know how to do that.

    Best,



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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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  • 2.  RE: mounting a brass plaque on a celesta

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-10-2018 05:22
    HI Susan,

    I had a similar project once and I went to a trophy store.  They had a very thin but very strong double sided adhesive.  It worked perfectly.  The folks at the trophy store didn't charge me for the adhesive because I needed such a small piece.

    David Weiss

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    David Weiss
    Charlottesville VA
    434-823-9733
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  • 3.  RE: mounting a brass plaque on a celesta

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-10-2018 16:06
    Thanks, David, that sounds like a perfectly logical approach. I'll find a local trophy store, and if that doesn't work I'll find one online.

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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