Pianotech

  • 1.  KB "agraffes"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-20-2018 14:23
    Hi all,
    Some of you have likely seen this. If you haven't, I apologize up front for what you have to see. The piano is a 1909 Kranich and Bach (yeah, I know the reputation...) with these integral "agraffe" holes.
    The piano, as you might see in the photo, is in marginal condition, although at one point the case was refinished. You know the story:
    The customer has had it since she was a child, can't part with it, won't spend a dime to regulate it. Etc.

    Anyway, tuning (or what passed for my "tuning") was kind of a nightmare. The strings refuse to render at all, and I kept expecting them to break, especially as they are corroded and old. I tried two applications of Protek but to no avail. Is there anything that can be done to these pianos?
    While it's true that it has been successfully "tuned" in the past, that doesn't mean it will continue to be tuned in the future, and I don't want to start breaking strings. I'll be returning next week to treat a failed pin with CA. Many of the pins, by the way, have been pounded in all the way to the coil.
    Just another issue...

    Protek seems to be the go-to lubricant for this issue, but are there others for an old piano like this one that that may be better?

    thanks
    Scott

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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033

    PTG Journal Editorial Staff/TTT
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  • 2.  RE: KB "agraffes"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-20-2018 14:30
    There is no free lunch. Replace.

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    Patrick Draine
    Billerica MA
    978-663-9690
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  • 3.  RE: KB "agraffes"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-20-2018 14:39
    The only piano more expensive to work on than a Craig's List piano is the family heirloom. Offer to do it right or walk away. I once did a family heirloom fix up for $4,000. Told them that when done it would be worth $400. It was worth it to them.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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