Discussion Posts

Since the company no longer repairs or supplies drive units for the PDS-128 (uses floppy disks), I'm hoping there might be someone out there in pianotech world that has a functioning one they've taken out of a piano when an upgrade was done.  I know it's ...

Probably dreaded expanding brackets. See if adjusting the glides can get you a fraction of an inch. ------------------------------ Susan Kline Philomath, Oregon ------------------------------

There was that priceless Hitchcock comedy, "The Trouble with Harry" ......... ------------------------------ Susan Kline Philomath, Oregon ------------------------------

Hi, Keith No Downey. It puts sticky smelly goop into the hammer and you can't get it out. Ask her if she hears the piano as being harsh or if she likes it this way. Some do. If she wonders what you mean, find the very worst most brash and ugly note ...

By the way John; I looked your web site. Did you know you are no longer an Associate Member! ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing Harmony to Homes www.lacrossepianotuning.com ljmesserly@gmail.com 928-899-7292 ----------------- ...

Thanks to all who responded. There's nothing like knowing that something that looks impossible to you is actually going to work if you do it the correct way. I have done step one this afternoon, i.e., the dowel shaped items (are they called 'blocks', ...

Hi John: I saw that you posted this on another discussion group. Basically, the metal brackets that hold the action stack together have changed dimension over time. The action fit fine at the factory, and now the action brackets have expanded so it ...

Hi John, Here is a direct link to 161 posts regarding "expanding action brackets":  https://my.ptg.org/search?executeSearch=true&SearchTerm=%22expanding+action+brackets%22&rf=%5EObjectType%3AEgroupMessage%5E You will see "Weber" in the 4th post. The ...

Do a search on PTG for Expanded Brackets. ------------------------------ Regards, Jon Page mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com http://www.pianocapecod.com ------------------------------

I went to a friend and coworkers house today to tune a 1989 Weber baby grand piano that he just got from one of his neighbors. The first thing I noticed is that the regulation is completely and horribly bad. Many keys were blocking. Adjust the letoff ...

I would have to say the problem is,,,The client thinks, Harry never recommended this be done,, why should it? Harry would let the pianos go and when they complained he told them they needed a new piano.  I was going to look for a link I could offer them ...

You align the dowel over the center of the unisons and space evenly before gluing. That's the only side bending you do. Then you adjust all the dampers to lift at the same time by bending the wire at the low point forwards or back and then re angling ...

I always liked Don Mannino's story about how he was criticizing the previous technicians work and what was recommended and then later finding his own card in the piano. So I don't talk bad about other tuners. People are loyal even if what they had wasn't ...

Hi- The previous comments all included great advice and I agree. For it's worth, the only suggestion I would add is don't bother packing to bring any other tools along with you. A tuning lever and mute is fine, but don't waste your time hauling any ...

Gluing the dowel part of the damper block while it is still in the piano and then pressing it very hard against damper assembly, which you have already placed touching the string(s) does not work for a number of reasons, not the lest of which is that ...

I have traveled with faculty twice for selections at Steinway. The first time we were picking out six B's and one D. If I remember correctly there were about eight B's to choose from. I arranged to arrived at the factory about two hours before the faculty ...

Learning piano technology is a lot like learning to drive: you learn the basics, then every time you get behind the wheel, for the first year or so, you encounter stuff your driver's ed teacher never told you. Most of my training has been through videos, ...

That heat gun is 220v. You can find the 110v one at the bottom of the page. Looks good for $40. Thanks ------------------------------ Keith Roberts owner Hathaway Pines CA 209-770-4312 ------------------------------

Hi John. I've long thought that such an idea is a good one for an institutional piano. The fan is a must IMHO. Two other thoughts to perhaps consider. Insulation can be had quite easily by attaching 3/4" insulating foam panels to the inside of each box ...

I want to clarify one thing. This test is primarily for the treble/top half of the piano. Perhaps all the Cs from C8 down to say C5 or maybe C4. ------------------------------ Kevin Fortenberry Registered Piano Technician Temple, Texas 806-778-3962 ...

I'm surprised others have not chimed in! Perhaps others will...especially after this comment. (Stir "the pot" just a bit. Wink wink) One thing that I learned at Texas Tech from Dan McSpadden (my predecessor there) and Dr Lora Deahl (piano professor there) ...

I prefer one of these. Both the blower and temperature are controllable, and the nozzles are quite small.   https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264518759419 ------------------------------ David Stocker, ...

I've installed a few upright dollies. I have always used the ones that Pianotek sells. They have a small wheeled unit and a larger wheel dolly. I tell the customer that the smaller one works fine if you don't have bumps to traverse and the bigger wheels ...

Some time ago, I asked a question about a climate control system install in a "box" for a piano at a small symphony. There were helpful posts but no pictures. I forgot to take pictures on the install date, but recently took these. I hope they will be ...

Paul Jansen and Son Inc https://pljansen.com/ ------Original Message------ I am looking for suggestions for a nylon, padded  grand piano cover that is flexible enough to be folded in thirds, rolled, and be able to be placed on a chair. We ...

We've done this twice now in the past 3 years. You can email Dr Joe Rackers, head of our piano department with your questions: jrackers@mozart.sc.edu . Have fun! Paul ------Original Message------ Piano faculty and I ...

I ordered from them, no problem. ------------------------------ Don Dalton Chester VT ------------------------------

Laura, I and at least one other chapter member here have ordered from them. We’ve both had a good experience. Order with confidence that all will be fine. Doug Garman, RPT Doug Garman Piano Service 817-578-4796 Schedule your next tuning appointment at: ...

Forget the chair, get a plastic bin ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing Harmony to Homes www.lacrossepianotuning.com ljmesserly@gmail.com 928-899-7292 ------------------------------

Yes, just call Covers By Jill. You'll probably be talking with Dennis. They make covers of different thicknesses. You can't have the convenience I do, of driving to Salem and picking up a cover to save the cost and delay of shipping, but they can ...

Lucy, What you describe sounds like one I have, which was purchased 20 years ago from American Piano Supply. I think somebody advertises having continued the APSCO cover business, but can't think who that is. And they might not have the same materials. ...

I thought the leg dollies work great for short moves on a stage. And are economically priced. ------Original Message------ I'm researching a piano truck for a U-1.  The piano is used for a weekly dance, and is only moved 10-12 ft each time its used. ...

Actually looking at that specific U-1 truck, I think it is just a spinet/console truck with a U-1 specific spike to go in the caster holes. Actually looks a bit wimpy. ------------------------------ Jim Ialeggio grandpianosolutions.com Shirley, MA 978 ...

I'm researching a piano truck for a U-1.  The piano is used for a weekly dance, and is only moved 10-12 ft each time its used. I was looking around on line, and in addition to the twin jansen upright dollies, I saw one that is set up specifically for ...

Hi Lucy, The most durable covers (although perhaps not the ones best suited for folding) that I've found are from Covers by Jill. https://www.manta.com/c/mm8djw9/instrument-covers-by-jill I hope you find what you need. All the best, Jon ...

I am looking for suggestions for a nylon, padded  grand piano cover that is flexible enough to be folded in thirds, rolled, and be able to be placed on a chair. We have a cover like this, but it was here before I came, so I don't know the source. We have ...

Piano faculty and I will be traveling to New York to select a B. I would appreciate any advice regarding this process. ------------------------------ Lucy Urlacher Columbia MO 573-673-1006 ------------------------------

This kind of embossing tool is like the device I purchased which didn't work well. I suggest someone buy it and report on how well it works. Many years ago Bill Spurlock wrote about the small butane torch, which can be used for many purposes, such as ...

Jim, you piqued my curiosity, here are couple out of many solutions on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/TACKLIFE-Handheld-Embossing-Wrapping-HGP35AC/dp/B07YVDT6TG/ref=sr_1_147_sspa https://www.amazon.com/ECG-J-900-Automatic-Ignition-Cordless/dp/B004GE89OA/ref=sr_1_237 ...

Terrance, following up on Jon Page's suggestion of an irregular key ratio:  You might try trimming the balance-rail punchings to move the effective keystick fulcrums.   Move the natural fulcrums aft, and the sharp fulcrums forward. ------------------------------ ...

Jim, I'm not sure about attachments but the actual nozzle is made out of stainless and you could probably fashion something pretty easily with the aluminum flashing you mention. If you go on ebay and put in heat gun you will see what's available. As Keith ...

I have a Portasol torch , that has a deflector. It works well, though I find I almost always use an alcohol lamp, for uprights as well as grands. Faster than an electric heat gun, simpler than the Portasol to operate. That's what they used at ...

Hello Fred, My name is Bryan and I am contacting you about a job offer here in the town where I live. It is an Arts School and the Music Director would like to bring me onboard to keep all of the pianos in good operating condition. I don't think that ...

I once needed a Mandolin kit for an upright, ("rinky-tink" as he calls it, or tac piano rail), and he was the ONLY source. It came as advertised and I had no problem with payment. However, at that time it was still owned by the Van Nattan's. Current owner ...

I will be retiring from the University of New Mexico in May. My job has just been posted on the UNM human resources site . It is full time with benefits, 95 pianos, and a financial support stream based on course fees, meaning it is not subject to actions ...

It's called an embossing tool. 500 degrees and $20. $30 for the designer (fashion painted) ones at Micheals or the other chain hobby stores. You probably have to modify to attach the deflector but it's plastic. drill and screw or make a longer "handle" ...

Don't know Richard...I make a point of avoiding players of any vintage.  However, the curved deflector that slips onto the nose of many heat guns, I think for heating shrink wrap, really does a decent job of deflecting the hot air so it circles the ...

Watch out! Best to take a class with a Yamaha service rep before getting very far into Yamaha player systems. Have your chapter put in a request to Yamaha. ------------------------------ Ed Sutton ed440@me.com (980) 254-7413 ----------------------- ...

There are small butane torches that make just the right amount of heat for working in a vertical action. It doesn't need a cord and waits patiently in my tool box for rare needs. These torches are available in top hardware and woodworking stores. I had ...

When heating shanks in an upright with a heat gun, is the deflector attachment enough to protect from burning up hybrid piano parts behind the shanks? In Yamaha Disklaviers there are fiberoptic cables that will melt if heated. How do you protect against ...