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Lester Spinet

  • 1.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-13-2010 22:10 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

Greetings List,

I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my first Lester Spinet. :-)  This piano was recently purchased by the client for a "steal" on Craigslist.  She said the previous owner told her he hadn't tuned it in a while.  She bought it so her young daughters can learn to play the piano.

I'm going to their home expecting the worst.  My question to all of you, is, What are the things I should be looking for?  Does this model have any recurring problems I should be alert for?

Any help is appreciated...

Regards,


Rob McCall

McCall Piano Service, LLC
www.mccallpiano.com
Murrieta, CA
951-698-1875


  • 2.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-13-2010 22:37 
    From "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>

Rob,
	The thing that you should be looking for is the exit and the
reoccurring problems are plastic elbows that disintegrate. Seriously, it
could be a money maker for you but only if the buyer is realistic about what
it will cost to bring it into some kind of usable shape. This will probably
be more than she paid for it so be prepared for that. She'll likely expect
that a tuning fee alone will cure all of its ills for as long as she owns
the piano. I hope, for your sake, that I'm wrong.

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Fort?
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)



    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 3.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-13-2010 23:03 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

I don't think the client has any idea or resources to possibly fix the piano.  I won't know for sure until tomorrow, but it's the overall sense I got when talking to her on the phone.

I was searching through the PTG archives, and 3 words were constantly recurring combined with "Lester." They were:  "Plasticized," "Disintegtrate," and "Run!" :-)

Thanks for your input, Greg.

Regards,

Rob

On Jul 13, 2010, at 21:36 , Greg Newell wrote:

> Rob,
> 	The thing that you should be looking for is the exit and the
> reoccurring problems are plastic elbows that disintegrate. Seriously, it
> could be a money maker for you but only if the buyer is realistic about what
> it will cost to bring it into some kind of usable shape. This will probably
> be more than she paid for it so be prepared for that. She'll likely expect
> that a tuning fee alone will cure all of its ills for as long as she owns
> the piano. I hope, for your sake, that I'm wrong.
> 
> Greg Newell
> Greg's Piano Fort?
> www.gregspianoforte.com
> 216-226-3791 (office)
> 216-470-8634 (mobile)


  • 4.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 06:54 
    From Paul T Williams <pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu>

Dang it, Greg! You took the words right out of my mouth!

Paul




From:
"Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
To:
<pianotech@ptg.org>
Date:
07/13/2010 11:37 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] Lester Spinet



Rob,
                 The thing that you should be looking for is the exit and 
the
reoccurring problems are plastic elbows that disintegrate. Seriously, it
could be a money maker for you but only if the buyer is realistic about 
what
it will cost to bring it into some kind of usable shape. This will 
probably
be more than she paid for it so be prepared for that. She'll likely expect
that a tuning fee alone will cure all of its ills for as long as she owns
the piano. I hope, for your sake, that I'm wrong.

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Fort?
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)



    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 5.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-13-2010 23:09 
    From Ron Nossaman <rnossaman@cox.net>

Rob McCall wrote:
> Greetings List,
> 
> I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my first Lester
> Spinet. :-)  This piano was recently purchased by the
> client for a "steal" on Craigslist.  She said the previous
> owner told her he hadn't tuned it in a while.  She bought
> it so her young daughters can learn to play the piano.
> 
> I'm going to their home expecting the worst.  My question
> to all of you, is, What are the things I should be looking
> for?  Does this model have any recurring problems I should
> be alert for?

Look it over, honestly evaluate what you find, and give the 
owner the real stuff, whatever they might otherwise expect. 
Like always.
Ron N


  • 6.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-13-2010 23:57 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

Thanks, Ron.

I always strive to keep my integrity intact and tell my clients what I see. I appreciate being reminded of that.  Thank you...

The reason I had written initially is that I recall hearing the name "Lester" in somewhat disparaging terms over the last year or so that I've been on this list.  Recalling nothing specific, I posted my initial post tonight. I always like to do some research when I approach a piano I haven't worked on before, which in this stage of my career is pretty much every time!

Now that I know the plastic elbows are on this piano along with some other plastic parts as well, I feel that I'll be more aware and prepared to deal with whatever I find in a more professional manner than if I'd stumbled across something or broken an elbow, etc. Maybe I get it from my flying background, but I always like to have a plan B and a plan C, ad nauseum, before going into a situation. :-)

I'll know more by midday!

Thanks,

Rob McCall

On Jul 13, 2010, at 22:09 , Ron Nossaman wrote:

> Rob McCall wrote:
>> Greetings List,
>> I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my first Lester
>> Spinet. :-)  This piano was recently purchased by the
>> client for a "steal" on Craigslist.  She said the previous
>> owner told her he hadn't tuned it in a while.  She bought
>> it so her young daughters can learn to play the piano.
>> I'm going to their home expecting the worst.  My question
>> to all of you, is, What are the things I should be looking
>> for?  Does this model have any recurring problems I should
>> be alert for?
> 
> Look it over, honestly evaluate what you find, and give the owner the real stuff, whatever they might otherwise expect. Like always.
> Ron N
>


  • 7.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 00:46 
    From Susan Kline <skline@peak.org>

It may not be that bad.

First, some Lester spinets had wooden parts, before they made the 
mistake with the plastic. Actually, as spinets go, those old Lesters 
aren't half bad.

Second, most of the elbows started turning to fragments so long ago 
that many pianos have had all of them replaced already.

Third, if you have a handful of the Vagias elbows in your kit or 
pocket when you arrive, you can fix a few as needed, if the owner 
doesn't want to spend to get them all done. I usually leave a few 
spares for someone like that.

But they may have been done long since. Once in awhile one of the new 
ones goes bad.

Don't overturn the wire in the elbow - it can sort of crack the 
bottom. Luckily you can look through the elbows and see where the end 
of the wire is. A small pair of vise grips to grab the wire helps a lot.

Check the bushing cloth trimming on the replacement elbows when you 
get them. You should definitely have a set in your parts stash. Some 
of them seem to have been trimmed by a squirrel with toothache. A 
very sharp single-edged razor blade is often in order. Watch out for 
plastic flanges, backchecks, jacks, and damper levers, though, and 
treat them with respect. They can be a true pain. A piano like that 
really needs to have all that stuff replaced. I've done it ... I 
thought I was charging enough. One never does, though.

Susan Kline

At 10:57 PM 7/13/2010, you wrote:
>Thanks, Ron.
>
>I always strive to keep my integrity intact and tell my clients what 
>I see. I appreciate being reminded of that.  Thank you...
>
>The reason I had written initially is that I recall hearing the name 
>"Lester" in somewhat disparaging terms over the last year or so that 
>I've been on this list.  Recalling nothing specific, I posted my 
>initial post tonight. I always like to do some research when I 
>approach a piano I haven't worked on before, which in this stage of 
>my career is pretty much every time!
>
>Now that I know the plastic elbows are on this piano along with some 
>other plastic parts as well, I feel that I'll be more aware and 
>prepared to deal with whatever I find in a more professional manner 
>than if I'd stumbled across something or broken an elbow, etc. Maybe 
>I get it from my flying background, but I always like to have a plan 
>B and a plan C, ad nauseum, before going into a situation. :-)
>
>I'll know more by midday!
>
>Thanks,
>
>Rob McCall


  • 8.  Lester Spinet

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-14-2010 01:36 
    From tnrwim@aol.com

Rob

Hopefully you'll read this before you take off in the morning. I have to agree with Susan. Yes, Lester plastic elbows, and in some cases, plastic flanges and dampers. But if the customer didn't say anything about keys not working, or being "down", perhaps the plastic elbows have been replaced with wood a long time ago, and the rest of the action is OK, too. 

My experience has been that Lesters, plastic elbows not withstanding, are not bad pianos. They are not an Acrosonic, but when all the parts are working, I'll put one up against a Wurly or Kimball spinet any day. 

Wim









    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 9.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 05:33 
    From "James Grebe" <jamesgrebe@charter.net>

PLASTIC ELBOWS.
Jim
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe

    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 10.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 05:43 
    From "Gerald Groot" <tunerboy3@comcast.net>

If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's.  I
remember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to replace
elbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the norm.
His response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later.  Wooden
ones will not.  

Jer


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 11.  Lester Spinet

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-14-2010 07:15 
    From "Tom Driscoll" <tomtuner@verizon.net>


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 12.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 13:29 
    From "Gerald Groot" <tunerboy3@comcast.net>

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input.  Yes, Yat Lam is FULL of wisdom and information isn't
he?  We're lucky to have him in our local chapter.  

My greatest problem with replacment snap on Vagias elbows of the past?
Well, 2 problems actually..  1.  I have seen many-many of the snap on's
re-break.  Right at the joint where they snap in to the whippen pin.  Of
course, this was 25-30 years ago when I received the advice from Yat Lam
too.  Perhaps that was why.  At that time, I had such a serious continuous
problem with them re-breaking that Vagias agreed to send me many replacement
sets if I in return, sent back the broken parts.  I receieved no
compensation in labor of course.  This was done gratis on my behalf for the
customer.  Unfortunately, that didn't prevent them from re-breaking later on
either.  Usually within a couple of years or less.  I brought this problem
up at chapter meetings, talked with as many different techs about this as I
could but it seems not to many others were encountering this problem.  I was
installing tons of them back then.  Nobody ever did seem to figure out what
was causing it short of probably just a bunch of bad batches I guess.  So,
that's where my thoughts were coming from.   

My 2nd problem which I still run into if I ever have to replace even one of
them is this.  The keys would stick after the snap ons were installed.  I
always figured it had something to do with the opening in the jaw of the
snap on elbow but never did figure it out.  Once again, I went to everyone I
could think of for advice but, nobody else seemed to be encountering that
problem either.  I tried everything I could think of to prevent it or stop
it from marking the wires so that they were re-installed in exactly the same
locations and positions to marking where the old elbows were and screwing
the new ones on to the mark and then stopping etc., but, nothing worked so,
I finally just said, piss on it.  I won't work on them.  :)  

Jer


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 13.  Lester Spinet

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-14-2010 09:43 
    From "David Stocker" <firtreepiano@hotmail.com>

Last time I tried ordering wooden elbows, no one had any. Been using plastic 
ever since. They are easier to install, but the installation price stays the 
same.

David Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Gerald Groot" <tunerboy3@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 04:43
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Lester Spinet

> If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's.  I
> remember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to replace
> elbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the norm.
> His response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
> Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
> right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later. 
> Wooden
> ones will not.
>
> Jer
>
> 
    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 14.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 10:21 
    From paul bruesch <paul@bruesch.net>

I thought they were polycarbonate, but I do note that both Schaff and
Pianotek catalogs call them plastic.
Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN

On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 10:42 AM, David Stocker <firtreepiano@hotmail.com>wrote:

> Last time I tried ordering wooden elbows, no one had any. Been using
> plastic ever since. They are easier to install, but the installation price
> stays the same.
>
> David Stocker, RPT
> Tumwater, WA
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> From: "Gerald Groot" <tunerboy3@comcast.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 04:43
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Lester Spinet
>
>  If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's.  I
>> remember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to replace
>> elbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the norm.
>> His response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
>> Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
>> right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later. Wooden
>> ones will not.
>>
>> Jer
>>
>> 
    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 15.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 10:34 
    From Ron Nossaman <rnossaman@cox.net>

paul bruesch wrote:
> I thought they were polycarbonate, but I do note that both Schaff and 
> Pianotek catalogs call them plastic.

They are polycarbonate, which is a plastic. And I've never 
seen a polycarbonate elbow break either. Ever. People just 
need to get over the "ick" factor that comes with the word 
"plastic". The chemistry of plastics has matured considerably 
since  styrene.
Ron N


  • 16.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 16:53 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

Thanks to everyone who replied to my message. The insight I've gleaned from this conversation will come in handy someday.  Unfortunately, it wasn't today!  :-)

I arrived at the appointment and was led to a Lester piano.  But it was taller...  Turned out to be a console from 1946.  Had the cutout ends off the back of the keys and a very compact action.  It did have some plastic parts in an unbroken state, including the backchecks and the back end of the wippen, which had a capstan screw drilled through and inserted through the plastic and facing downward on to the back end of the key.

The problems were many, including: several loose hammer flanges, bass dampers that wouldn't dampen and would only raise with the key but not with the pedal (above the break was fine), numerous sticking keys, broken keytops, one broken key (E5, at the balance rail pin), etc.

When they bought the piano, they thought it was 15 years old.  They only missed by 49 years!

Anyway, I was going over the items with the wife and she seemed agreeable, but wanted to spread out the repairs for her budget. I was telling her the most important things that needed to be fixed, when Sergeant Husband walked in, overhearing our conversation, and very loudly stated, "We are NOT spending anymore money on this piano, I already spent $125 buying it!  It just needs to be tuned and that'll be good enough for the kids!"

So, it got a 60-100 cent pitch raise and a tuning...  and a shy smile from the wife who told me to email her the list of needed repairs...  :-)

So we'll see how this goes!

Regards,

Rob McCall

McCall Piano Service, LLC
www.mccallpiano.com
Murrieta, CA
951-698-1875



On Jul 14, 2010, at 04:43 , Gerald Groot wrote:

> If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's.  I
> remember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to replace
> elbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the norm.
> His response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
> Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
> right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later.  Wooden
> ones will not.  
> 
> Jer


  • 17.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 17:50 
    From "James Grebe" <jamesgrebe@charter.net>

Those plastic parts are worse than plastic elbows, especially the jacks and 
backchecks.
James
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe

    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 18.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 20:36 
    From "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>

Man, did I call that one or what?!

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Fort?
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 19.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 06:16 
    From Paul T Williams <pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu>

So...the tuning cost more than the piano??? ;>)

Paul




From:
Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>
To:
pianotech@ptg.org
Date:
07/14/2010 05:59 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] Lester Console, was Lester Spinet



Thanks to everyone who replied to my message. The insight I've gleaned 
from this conversation will come in handy someday.  Unfortunately, it 
wasn't today!  :-)

I arrived at the appointment and was led to a Lester piano.  But it was 
taller...  Turned out to be a console from 1946.  Had the cutout ends off 
the back of the keys and a very compact action.  It did have some plastic 
parts in an unbroken state, including the backchecks and the back end of 
the wippen, which had a capstan screw drilled through and inserted through 
the plastic and facing downward on to the back end of the key.

The problems were many, including: several loose hammer flanges, bass 
dampers that wouldn't dampen and would only raise with the key but not 
with the pedal (above the break was fine), numerous sticking keys, broken 
keytops, one broken key (E5, at the balance rail pin), etc.

When they bought the piano, they thought it was 15 years old.  They only 
missed by 49 years!

Anyway, I was going over the items with the wife and she seemed agreeable, 
but wanted to spread out the repairs for her budget. I was telling her the 
most important things that needed to be fixed, when Sergeant Husband 
walked in, overhearing our conversation, and very loudly stated, "We are 
NOT spending anymore money on this piano, I already spent $125 buying it! 
It just needs to be tuned and that'll be good enough for the kids!"

So, it got a 60-100 cent pitch raise and a tuning...  and a shy smile from 
the wife who told me to email her the list of needed repairs...  :-)

So we'll see how this goes!

Regards,

Rob McCall

McCall Piano Service, LLC
www.mccallpiano.com
Murrieta, CA
951-698-1875



On Jul 14, 2010, at 04:43 , Gerald Groot wrote:

> If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's. I
> remember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to 
replace
> elbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the 
norm.
> His response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use 
wood?
> Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. 
He's
> right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later. 
Wooden
> ones will not. 
> 
> Jer


  • 20.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 13:26 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

Yes it did!  So I more than doubled the value of their piano.  He should thank me!  :-)

Rob

On Jul 15, 2010, at 05:15 , Paul T Williams wrote:

> So...the tuning cost more than the piano??? ;>) 
> 
> Paul


  • 21.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 16:15 
    From "James Grebe" <jamesgrebe@charter.net>

No, you didn't. It is still a Lester
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe

    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 22.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 19:20 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

I know, I said that "tongue in cheek".  I'm sure the "man" of the family thought that it has now doubled in value.  :-)


On Jul 15, 2010, at 15:15 , James Grebe wrote:

> No, you didn't. It is still a Lester
> James Grebe Est. 1962
> Piano Tuner-Technician
> Creator of Custom Caster Cups
> Creator of fine Writing Instruments
> Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian
> www.grebepiano.com
> 1526 Raspberry Lane
> Arnold, MO 63010
> (314) 608-4137
> Become what you believe
> 
    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 23.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 19:42 
    From "James Grebe" <jamesgrebe@charter.net>

Back in the very early 1900's Lester was a very nice solid piano.
James
James Grebe Est. 1962
Piano Tuner-Technician
Creator of Custom Caster Cups
Creator of fine Writing Instruments
Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian
www.grebepiano.com
1526 Raspberry Lane
Arnold, MO 63010
(314) 608-4137
Become what you believe

    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 24.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-15-2010 21:54 
    From Ryan Sowers <tunerryan@gmail.com>

Sounds like your really {"paying your dues" Rob!!

On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 3:53 PM, Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com> wrote:

> Thanks to everyone who replied to my message. The insight I've gleaned from
> this conversation will come in handy someday.  Unfortunately, it wasn't
> today!  :-)
>
> I arrived at the appointment and was led to a Lester piano.  But it was
> taller...  Turned out to be a console from 1946.  Had the cutout ends off
> the back of the keys and a very compact action.  It did have some plastic
> parts in an unbroken state, including the backchecks and the back end of the
> wippen, which had a capstan screw drilled through and inserted through the
> plastic and facing downward on to the back end of the key.
>
> The problems were many, including: several loose hammer flanges, bass
> dampers that wouldn't dampen and would only raise with the key but not with
> the pedal (above the break was fine), numerous sticking keys, broken
> keytops, one broken key (E5, at the balance rail pin), etc.
>
> When they bought the piano, they thought it was 15 years old.  They only
> missed by 49 years!
>
> Anyway, I was going over the items with the wife and she seemed agreeable,
> but wanted to spread out the repairs for her budget. I was telling her the
> most important things that needed to be fixed, when Sergeant Husband walked
> in, overhearing our conversation, and very loudly stated, "We are NOT
> spending anymore money on this piano, I already spent $125 buying it!  It
> just needs to be tuned and that'll be good enough for the kids!"
>
> So, it got a 60-100 cent pitch raise and a tuning...  and a shy smile from
> the wife who told me to email her the list of needed repairs...  :-)
>
> So we'll see how this goes!
>
> Regards,
>
> Rob McCall
>
> McCall Piano Service, LLC
> www.mccallpiano.com
> Murrieta, CA
> 951-698-1875
>
> --
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net


  • 25.  Lester Console, was Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-17-2010 17:14 
    From Rob McCall <rob@mccallpiano.com>

Ryan,

On this PSO, I definitely am!

Regards,

Rob

On Jul 15, 2010, at 20:54 , Ryan Sowers wrote:

> Sounds like your really {"paying your dues" Rob!!


  • 26.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 06:13
      |   view attached 
    From Jon Page <jonpage@comcast.net>

>"Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
>Won't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
>right.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later.  Wooden
>ones will not. 


Clip-on elbows are cost effective and will probably out last the piano.
Wooden elbows just give you that warm fuzzy feeling.

Check the case structure to see if the front is separating from the back,
top and bottom.

Attached is a photo of a pair of end nippers which were ground narrow
to fit into the whippen slot to nip off plastic remnants.
-- 

Regards,

Jon Page


  • 27.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 11:09 
    From Susan Kline <skline@peak.org>

>Attached is a photo of a pair of end nippers which were ground narrow
>to fit into the whippen slot to nip off plastic remnants.


Seriously cute, Jon!

Much better than the needle-nosed pliers I used to just squeeze
them with. I never busted the wippen walls, though, thank heavens.

Susan


  • 28.  Lester Spinet

    Posted 07-14-2010 08:37 
    From "pgmilkie@juno.com" <pgmilkie@juno.com>

Another isue would be boarder line tuning pins, the piano may need CA treatment (cyanoacrylate).


Paul M




    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 29.  Lester Spinet

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-14-2010 12:17 
    From tnrwim@aol.com

If you're lucky, the previous tuner replaced them with wooden elbow's.  I
emember about 30 years ago, Yat Lam Hong asking me what I used to replace
lbow's.  My answer?  Clip on plastic elbows.  I thought it was the norm.
is response?  "Why you use plastic to replace plastic?  Why not use wood?
on't break."  Logical response.  Since then, that's what I've done. He's
ight.  Sometimes the clip ons break again, especially years later.  Wooden
nes will not.  
Jer

Yat Lam and I think alike. The only time I use a snap on is when I have to replace one or two. Once I warned a customer that all the elbows would break, but he only wanted to have me replace the two that were broken, with the snap ones. As I tuned the piano, four more broke before he reluctantly agreed to have me do all of them, with wood ones. 

Wim







    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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