Pianotech

  • 1.  Piano case bumpers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-13-2018 14:22
    I service two very nice Yamaha grand pianos that live on stage at a local college. Unfortunately they are usually moved by students in whatever program is going to use them for any given performance. They are both on star dollies so they move easily, but, being students, (and meaning no disrespect for students of any kind), they are less than careful when moving them. Therefore, the edges of the lids, mostly, are seriously chipped. 

    I have seen on some stages, pianos that have what I must call a bumper. A piece of wood, perhaps 2" or 3" high and thick enough to stick out further than the lid, that is attached to the case of the piano and finished so that it doesn't look horrible. I believe the ones I have seen actually follow the curve of the case but I can't imagine how that might be accomplished unless these bumpers actually already exist for purchase. 

    The school has requested I get the chips repaired and a bumper, or something, installed to help prevent further damage. Of the two, I think getting the bumper installed is going to be the easiest to pull off since the local finish touch-up guy that had the skills to do polyester repair has retired and we can't find anyone with those skills to take his place. 

    I guess that means that what I'm seeking, mostly, is bumper recommendations. 

    I look forward to your replies.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 2.  RE: Piano case bumpers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-14-2018 02:32
    Hi, Geoff

    I haven't seen anything like that on the curved side, but I've seen two boards (painted black) on the straight side of some concert grands. Our SD-10 at Newport has them, factory original, I think. Designed for large concert grands which are moved a lot.

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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  • 3.  RE: Piano case bumpers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-14-2018 02:41
    P.S. A good thick cover and a strenuous educational program for student movers are probably your best bets. Or arrange for someone else to do the moving. At our concert hall, which hires a lot of students as crew, we had a little trouble when the Steinway D first appeared. It was taking far too much damage the first month or two. I wrote an email to circulate among them pointing out that the piano was a six-figure item, and asking what would happen to someone doing valet parking if they put a ding or a scratch on Porsches or Ferraris every second or third time they parked one. Constant effort to teach new student hires is needed, but it can be done. Recently a woman student told me that the first time she helped move the piano, the others told her, "if you put a scratch on this piano, you will be fired."

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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  • 4.  RE: Piano case bumpers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-14-2018 15:29
    Good points to make them aware of. Thanks.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 5.  RE: Piano case bumpers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-14-2018 02:44
    One more thought -- I've started to learn how to use shellac sticks and a burn-in knife to fill gouges. It's not all that hard, though I still have a ways to go before I'd call myself an expert. I don't know if it is compatible with a shiny polyester surface, but the sticks are available in black.

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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