Pianotech

  • 1.  locking upright piano cover?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2018 09:48
    I had a high school band director ask me to order him a cover for his upright piano (Kawai K-2) as it keeps getting damaged in the band hall.  I have only ever seen the covers with locking straps on grands.  But, he said he had ones on a vertical piano at a previous school.  I called Kawai and they said to call Jansen as that is their recommended provider for covers for their pianos.  Jansen said they had never heard of a locking piano cover for an upright either.  I am not finding any product like this on the internet.  Can anyone tell me if they have a vendor that might make such a product before I go back to the band director and say that such a thing doesn't exist and just recommend a normal piano cover with an additional installation of a Fallboard lock?  Thanks in advance!

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    Patsy Stewart, RPT
    Parker CO
    www.parkerpianos.com
    720-295-8863
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  • 2.  RE: locking upright piano cover?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2018 09:54
    Try calling "Covers by Jill". Here's what I found on Google:

    https://www.manta.com/c/mm8djw9/instrument-covers-by-jill

    I'm not sure they have what you're looking for, but they've been around a long time. I'll bet they have something.

    Good luck.

    Paul McCloud




  • 3.  RE: locking upright piano cover?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2018 12:30
    Patsy

    Instead of a locking cover, how about putting the piano in a box? Build a box against the wall big enough for the piano, with a lock on the door to the box. To make it easier to move, install twin dollies under the piano. 

    But, as with all pianos that are locked, whether it's a fall board lock, a cover with a lock, or in a box, I predict it will only be used for a few weeks. Then someone will loose the key to the lock, and/or, it becomes to much of a hassle to lock it up.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 4.  RE: locking upright piano cover?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2018 16:49
    Wim--
    Thanks for the reply.  They already have a twin dolly installed on it.  (Good thing because they push that piano all over the school every day!)  I told him that I install fallboard locks at many churches and schools, but usually within a year the bracket and/or key have already been lost.  I also had a concert hall accidentally get the piano cover caught under the dolly wheel which pulled it over and caused a tragic death of the piano.  So, I have come to believe that all these precautions give a false sense of security.  I am still on the hunt for the locking piano cover before I call it quits and try to talk him into a different path.  Thanks again!

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    Patricia Stewart
    Parker CO
    720-295-8863
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