Discussion Posts

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Its called Venditio Stropha. My working formula Is to fix the heavy downbearing up there if present. Put a harder natural wood cap (Janka hardness 1800 or over). Also some woods are more acoustic, which is the overlooked negative of laminated caps. ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hello, What's the name of this wood at the top of many pianos? To my knowledge (which may very well be lacking) it helps reflect the sound back over this very short segment of soundboard to help the top notes project a little better. Is this correct? ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Going by little info, but it sounds to me that downbearing (plate height) was not done correctly. The downbearing gauge by itself is incomplete info. You also need to know the crown of the board as well. And it helps to know the boards reaction when unstrung. ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Was this a remote purchase or was it chosen by your client after playing it in the store? I've had instances where I thought the piano was a poor choice but the customer loved it. ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing Harmony ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I wanted to add that I'm primarily interested in response about the technical/engineering aspect. Comments along the line of, "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem because..." or, "No, that's inherently problematic because of XYZ"... or, "Here's what I've ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Thank you! Warm Regards, Peter Acronico, RPT (408) 838-2559

  • Posted in: CAUT

    I got that reference via phone yesterday so that is the referral I will use. ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: CAUT

    I believe that John Johanson of Mosaic Piano Services in Greensboro is the finest comprehensive rebuilder in Central North Carolina, well worth the drive from Charlotte. ------------------------------ Ed Sutton ed440@me.com (980) 254-7413 -------- ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    Keith, Assuming the customer is aware of the situation now, maybe you don't have to do anything else. If the piano ever starts having issues that bother the client, they'll eventually have more reason to trust and respect you. As far as holding the ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    Hi, Parker. What level of "belleywork" would be needed here. It's still a little unclear. There are techs that can do great repairs, but don't venture into replacement. Does it include replacement of the sounding board or shimming it? Planing ...

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    RE: Broadwood Piano

    Posted in: Pianotech

    It's possible to RESTORE, but don't change a thing. Use those pins, they may be threaded. DO NOT DRILL OUT THE PLATE TO USE DIFFERENT PINS! Use the proper wire, not modern wire, don't use modern hammers; get those recovered. Use reproductions of ...

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    RE: Broadwood Piano

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Broadwoods with underdampers are special, and work well. The early ones just had wooden wrestplanks, and that in my instrument of 1859 is good, but sometimes the wrestplank disintegrates and needs replacement. Later Broadwoods have an iron plate which ...

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    RE: Broadwood Piano

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Eugene, It's beautiful. What does the decal on the fallboard say? What is the actual length, feet and inches? Broadwood dating is easiest done with a letter to Broadwood, but their publication helps too. Bill

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    Broadwood Piano

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    As I understand it full service on vintage steinway: belleywork, action, finish. I ran into a doctor on monday who told me that his daughter was looking for a qualified rebuilder in the Charlotte, NC area. ------------------------------ Parker Leigh ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Dealer should have sent it back in the first place. ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Thank you, Jenny! I will pass this on, and I appreciate your willingness to have a conversation with Francois. I will do research on the abilities of a cochlear implant, and if there's an on/off potential, and possibility for refinement. ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Thank you, Jenny! I will pass this on, and I appreciate your willingness to have a conversation with Francois. I will do research on the abilities of a cochlear implant, and if there's an on/off potential, and possibility for refinement. ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Keith, I would say, it's up to the customer to decide if they want to return the piano to get their money back, or wait for a replacement. That would put a fire under the dealer. At this point they just want to say everything's fine and hope it goes ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    Parker, What level of rebuilding is needed? Soundboard, pinblock, bridge replacements? Just belly repairs? New action fabrication? ------------------------------ Dave Conte, RPT Piano Technician in Residence The University of Tennessee College ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I have a pianist in Lubbock who needs a tuner. Can anyone make a recommendation? Thanks, Bob Anderson Tucson, AZ

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Tuning should not be a serious issue with only one fully functional ear. The other problem would be finding clicks, rattles and buzzes in instruments. This can be partially overcome using a mechanics stethoscope. ------------------------------ Blaine ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    I worked for a store for more than 20 years, and what you're experiencing is not new. Whoever's hiring the tech pretty much calls the shots. Of course the factory tech is going to say everything's all right. If he says something different, his job ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Interesting situation here.. Subject piano: High quality expensive European piano Findings: As customer's technician I inspected the piano throroughly at first local service appointment (customer gets grumpy if tuning interval is longer than 6 ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I found a set. Thank you anyways! ------------------------------ Patrick Greene OWNER Knoxville TN (865) 384-6582 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Does anyone have a set of pedals for a spinet they could sell me? One of my clients has broken one and the other two are not looking in great shape either. They look similar to this (attached). I looked in amongst all my parts and all I found is some ...

  • Posted in: CAUT

    Looking for rebuilder in Charlotte, NC area. ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Peter, It is absolutely possible, but it is difficult and requires lots of patience. Sound localization is the biggest issue, so finding errant buzzes and squeaks takes extra time for investigation. Tuning and voicing also take longer because you ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Tim, Thanks again for your input! I am trying to balance several factors at the same time. One factor is the relationship between the 5ths / 4ths and Major 3rds. Four consecutive 5ths and 4ths make one Major 3rd. It is possible to control the ...

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  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Above I mentioned a piano manufacturer describing how he tuned Handel's temperament which was documented in 1780 In the organ world Colin Pykett is a distinguished scholar and authority and he has written about it https://www.colinpykett.org.uk/handels-tuning-temperament.htm ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Roshan, Thank you, as always, for your interaction- what an interesting subject! I'm struggling a little with your statement below: " The main reason for developing the Equal and Unequal Beating Temperamsnt System was to balance the mathematical ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Thank you, Ben! Warm Regards, Peter Acronico, RPT (408) 838-2559

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Thank you so much! Does anyone know about the cochlear implant aspect of SSD as it would apply to music/tuning? My customers here in Silicon Valley tend to have the highest quality of hearing aids, thousands of dollars, and they still pull them out at ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I have a customer with an Apollo K Grand that is missing the lyre assembly. Does anyone have a used on that they would be willing to part with? Thank you. ------------------------------ Rex Roseman Roseman Piano Tuning Copley, OH 330-289-2948 ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Peter, Twenty-some years ago my friend and mentor Fred Bath, RPT suffered the same SSD event as your student. Fred wrote two articles in PTJ that might prove useful for him or anybody else facing the same challenge; the first in the June 2006 edition ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Interesting discussion because I have a Behr Brothers grand where the trapworks are mounted inside the piano under the key frame and in a sunken keybed. There are 3 stop collars at the top of each pedal rod above the pedal guide bushings at the top of ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Tim, You have made a critical point. The main reason for developing the Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System was to balance the mathematical / scientific side of piano tuning with the musical / artistic side of music composition. This system ...

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  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Tim - yes the Schisma is between F# and B Whilst the Kellner temperament is a "let's make the instrument sound nice" tuning Kirnberger III has a clarity which blows Kellner away and without the extreme in B major that one gets, unacceptably in my ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I called...she said she'd send one out this week. :-) Peter Grey Piano Doctor ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) 686-2395 pianodoctor57@gmail.com ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Roshan, Thanks for the response! While an equally beating system can make aural tuning much easier, the ear is still going to process more tempered 5ths/4ths as less consonant regardless of their beat rate, since the ear hears pitch relationships in ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I waited three weeks for a check from a High School. Called, got a replacement check in 2 days. Original check came a week later. Can't blame the home office for that one. ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing Harmony to Homes ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hello Scott Thanks for the notice. I used to mail in my quarterly payments, but for several years have used the IRS portal for payment. It's slightly clunky, but I find that it takes a bit less time than writing a check and getting the envelope, etc. ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Well, this sheds new light on the matter...though I will make a friendly call to the home office sometime today, just for fun. 😉 Peter Grey Piano Doctor ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) 686-2395 ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    The best course is to make those payments electronically in your individual online account: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals You may mail early as Scott suggests. (You still have no control over the postmark date.) ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Peter: Other than tuning, where I really don't think it would matter that much, there's no reason I can think of to believe he would be challenged with single sided deafness. Maybe finding buzzes would be harder to do. If he's got one good ear, ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Peter, I received mine the same day as my January Journal, and I have a friend who got his December one a few days after his January one. Give it a week. Something went wrong. Maggie ------------------------------ Maggie Jusiel, RPT Athens, ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    You must have been naughty. Mine arrived in a timely fashion. ------------------------------ Barb Bernhardt GF Music Piano Tuning & Repair Montrose, Colorado ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hello! One of my students and friend at LPC Institute of Piano Technology in Livermore, CA experienced a traumatic event where he lost his hearing completely on one side (SSD). While I have the opinion he could enter our trade quite competently, with ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I had the same exact experience Peter. I called the office and two days later got my December issue. Joe Wiencek NYC

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    New postmark rules

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Since many of us will have estimated tax payments due on January 15, be aware that the post office has changed the postmark rules. You can’t just drop your payment off just before the window closes on the 15th like you used to and get credit for being ...