Anderson Class, May, 2017
PianoWorks, May 1, 2018: Tech Topic: Shop Tips and Tricks
All the little things that go into making the job what it needs to be. Everyone should come away with something which will help make your work more professional, satisfying and rewarding. Making the customer happy and your reputation stellar.
Agraffe Alignment tool
October 2, 2018
Atlanta PTG Seminar 10/2/2018
High Performance Regulation of the Kawai Grand Action
A seminar by Don Mannino on getting the best performance from Kawai grand pianos. Included
will be discussion and demonstration of factory style regulating techniques, the trade-offs of
various regulation specifications to meet different needs, service pointers for getting the
performance back into worn actions, and a full top-to-bottom regulation process. Although this
class will feature the Kawai actions, much of the class material is applicable to all fine grand
piano actions. Also included is a description of the Shigeru Kawai MPA technician exam
process, and some of the information and techniques Don learned while undergoing certification
in 2010.
About Don Mannino
Don began working with pianos in 1979 as an apprentice in a rebuilding shop then as an
independent piano technician in the San Diego area. After coming to work for Kawai Pianos in
1995 as the manager of technical support, he now serves as the Director of Field Services for
Kawai America. Don and his wife Patty are the editors of the Southern California Combined
PTG newsletter. In 2010 he was certified in Japan as a Kawai "Master Piano Artisan" (or MPA),
the Kawai company’s top level concert piano technician. In July 2018 Mr. Mannino was
awarded the Piano Technicians Guild’s highest honor, the “Golden Tuning Hammer” award.