Discussion Posts

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    This is the sustain pedal trap lever. The failure is in the spot welds that hold the pivot assembly to the trap lever. I will use a steel-reinforced epoxy (like JB-Weld Cold Weld) unless someone has another suggestion that is tried and true.

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Barb, what exactly is the problem? Is this a middle pedal that goes down and shifts to the left to lock? Did the screw it pivots on break? ------------------------------ Steven Rosenthal RPT Honolulu HI (808) 521-7129 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Greetings All - What is your favorite repair method for a trap lever pivot detachment as shown in the attached photo? ------------------------------ Barb Bernhardt GF Music Piano Tuning & Repair Montrose, Colorado ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Where is the data logger sensor placed Dylan? ------------------------------ Barb Bernhardt GF Music Piano Tuning & Repair Montrose, Colorado ------------------------------

  • Posted in: CAUT

    Try a hot iron after removing pins and making patterns ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    You might consider asking David Reed at Kawai, or Don Mannino (now retired from Kawai). ------------------------------ Patrick Draine RPT Billerica MA (978) 663-9690 ------------------------------

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    RE: Boston bridge cap

    Posted in: CAUT

    Hey, Alan. I don't know anything about that. But it peaks my interest. Boston being essentially a Kawai, my guess is that is a vinyl or formaldehyde glue. Would that still work? Thanks for your suggestion. Could you elaborate? ------------------------------ ...

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    RE: Boston bridge cap

    Posted in: CAUT

    Hi Dave, Have you considered steaming it off? ------------------------------ Alan Eder, RPT Herb Alpert School of Music California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA 661.904.6483 ------------------------------

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    >I asked if they tune other instruments to the piano, and they do.< Not to drag this out, but this could be a big consideration. If the other instruments are strings, they're tunable - so ok, shrug? But if the other instrument are woodwinds or ...

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    Boston bridge cap

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I am getting ready to re-cap a Boston model GP-193 II. The existing bridge cap is rife with failures, but has not lifted (delaminated). Does anyone have a method to get the cap glue joint to release from the root without routing/planing or otherwise ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I second the idea that this is not such a big deal. It's not going to hurt the piano. The tonal effects will be subtle. It's their piano. I say charge for a pitch raise or two and do it. ------------------------------ John Pope University of Kentucky ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    LaRouche's movement championed A=432 Hz (Verdi tuning), claiming it aligns with natural universal vibrations and classical musical principles, a stark contrast to the modern 440 Hz standard. "A=432" in Books: While LaRouche promoted the concept ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Here's the book that maybe stirred up all this (years ago, now).... https://archive.schillerinstitute.com/fid_91-96/fid_911_jbt_tune.html MORE on the Larouches and Schiller Institute can be found using Google/or AI or whatever.... https://www.npr.org/2019/02/14/694626800/conspiracy-theorist-and-frequent-presidential-candidate-lyndon-larouche-dies-at- ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I charge $432 dollars to tune a piano to A4 = 432 Hz. It's a very calming dollar value, aligns with the natural fiscal frequencies of the celestial orbs, and promotes financial health and healing. ------------------------------ Christopher Storch ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    While I’m thinking about it, something I haven’t heard about with regard to lowering pitch: Is it possible that the wire bends at the front termination points will be drawn into the speaking length and increase false beats and unlevel strings? I’d imagine ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I have an appointment next week to lower the pitch of a piano, I think they want 432 or something. I asked if they tune other instruments to the piano, and they do. Frankly, it's not a big deal to me. If they want it, I don't really have a great reason ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I am just a tooner, so I will set a piano wherever someone wants it. As long as you communicate any concerns you have, the choice is theirs. It is their piano. Here is how I would set it to 432. Set one string of the A4 triad to 440hz. Lower ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I saw this article about 432: https://purefrequencies.com/pages/ancient-secret-v6?utm_id=120232864171110755 It lists some of the same reasons Steven gave, but in detail. I once had a customer wanting 432, when she found out I would have to charge extra ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    There are potential two ha'pence-worth addendums to this thread. One is http://trevorcox.me/pitch-shifting-to-432-hz-doesnt-improve-music The second is a concert for which I was required, within a 1 1/2 hour tuning slot, to do a concert tuning ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi, Patrick. I have encountered this a few times. It's a lot of extra work to permanently reset the tension of the piano to a lower frequency, but it can be done. I don't see where you asked the chapter (me included), but I tend to be overly busy, ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I've stabilized the room temperature and it seems to be sorting itself out now ! ------------------------------ Dylan Johnson Boulder CO (415) 384-1811 ------------------------------

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    There is a community near me of New Age/Eastern Mysticism folks. One of them asked me about tuning their Boston grand to 432. Here is the reply I emailed to them. Feel free to copy. Hi Xxxx, Short answer: I can, but it is not recommended. ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    David, thanks for that reference, it is in line with what I was able to find out and as you mention, it says nothing about frequencies 432,440 or otherwise. I did look outside the AI for other references as some AI responses weren't credible. And, like ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Steven and David. Thank you for the detailed explanations. I had told the client that the piano would not want to stay at A432 and would need subsequent tunings to make it stay down there and it might be detrimental to the instrument, but she wanted ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Steven - thanks for that but actually ChatGPT doesn't know everything, isn't always right, and often claims to be able to do things that it does not. I happen to live only 3 miles from a village in Sussex called Forest Row where there is a Steiner ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Below are the reasons people choose 432 according to chat gpt and also what I've read. Steiner is credited with saying the A=440 Hz standard is"Luciferian" and claimed it was responsible for creating discord and separating human consciousness from the ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    The reason why 432 is a fad at the moment is that people are thinking that the music is harsh and the assumption is that it derives from higher pitch. As we know this is a fallacy. Rudolph Steiner was writing about it and it has taken hold among those ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Hello Mark, I feel the same way. I did charge $100 extra for the other instruments, but now I am thinking this is a bad idea. I am ok with losing her as a customer because I think I will avoid a lawsuit! ------------------------------ Patrick Greene ...

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    RE: A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    I once had a client request 432. She was primarily a violin teacher. As such, she was training her students' ears to non-standard pitch. I refused the job, even though I'd driven an hour to get there. I felt it was indefensible that she was imposing her ...

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    A432

    Posted in: Pianotech

    A client called me and said she would like for me to tune her piano to A432 and she wants some other instruments (dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, guitar) tuned to A432..I am thinking she wants a really "old fashioned sounding" Christmas. I have never tuned ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I have two grands in my living room. What an opportunity. I tuned one to Kernbrrger 3 and the other equal temperament. Playin Chopin on Kernberger 3 is a real eye opener. Tom Tom Brantigan Piano Technician All strange wordings come to ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Dear Colleagues A couple of pianists came to me the other day to try out tunings and instruments https://youtu.be/jZyza5sLeLA Froberger on 1802 Stodart piano https://youtu.be/kkTfJE10tYM Haydn sonata on 1802 Stodart piano https://youtu.be/RR0fUpQaCfg ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    https://youtube.com/shorts/BIFK6Oo_xrs?si=_YiUu7ZQoGHeakpb (To make your own) Peter Grey Piano Doctor ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) 686-2395 pianodoctor57@gmail.com ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Remember that Steinway soundboard decals only appeared for a short period of time. See the book by Kehl for details, roughly 1880-1918 ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    There is a guy from Japan who sells all manner of decals on ebay and elsewhere. Prepare for steep price though! ------------------------------ Parker Leigh RPT Winchester VA (540) 722-3865 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    The picture didn't print for some reason. I don't know why but it's a soundboard decal I'm looking for not a fall board decal ------------------------------ David Love RPT www.davidlovepianos.com davidlovepianos@comcast.net 415 407 8320 ----------- ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    You said "just switched on". It will take time for the system to stabilise a bit. You are having big swings, the system should soften the swings your piano sees but it might take a couple of weeks for it to stabilise to its best ability. What to monitor ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Dylan -- At 7000' your little Kawai console is probably going to struggle a bit. Especially if you have it against an outside wall and/or near a window. You have temperature swings of almost 25° and humidity swings of around 10% at night but it looks ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Location of the sensor in the piano can also hugely affect what it is "reporting". The more important question is what's actually going on with the piano? Is it stable or is it fluctuating crazily? Or something else? Electronic surveillance ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I'm not sure that your charts have meaning. Measure the frequency of the A's on the piano and see if they change. And, who installed the system and may we see a picture of the installation. ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Oh, you have a studio upright! Undercovers are for grands. The same material (speaker cloth) can be attached to the back of an upright piano as semi-porous barrier to reduce humidity transfer. Best for you to have it installed by a piano technician familiar ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Hi Patrick I don't, I have a Kawai ST1 - you wouldn't happen to know where I could pick one up online ? ------------------------------ Dylan Johnson Boulder CO (415) 384-1811 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Do you have an undercover installed ? A string cover might help too if you already have an undercover. ------------------------------ Patrick Draine RPT Billerica MA (978) 663-9690 ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Your extreme temperature range is going to make the system struggle. Warm air can possess more water vapor (moisture) than cold air, so with the same amount of absolute/specific humidity, air will have a HIGHER relative humidity if the air is cooler, ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Is this expected behavior from a damp chaser that was just switched on ? The orange line is a sensor in my piano and the blue line my living room. I live at 7000ft - Boulder, Colorado. Thanks Dylan

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    I don't know how durable they are but...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BriLaf8wvy0 You can print your own water slide decals apparently. ------------------------------ Steven Rosenthal RPT Honolulu HI (808) 521-7129 ----------------------------- ...

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    Steinway SB decals

    Posted in: Pianotech

    Looking for a vintage Steinway SB decal as pictured Anyone know the current status of availability and possible suppliers. Private response is fine. ------------------------------ David Love RPT www.davidlovepianos.com davidlovepianos@comcast.net ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Just one thing to add as people are talking about replacing those lower tender strings with bichord wrapped strings, which is fine. Several suggestions about leaving a dummy pin, but that's not necessary. When I've done that kind of change, I've just ...

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Here is a visually difference between 30mm/15-degree vs 40mm/10-degree tip/head. The difference is around 9.25mm. ------------------------------ Cobrun Sells cobrun94@yahoo.com ------------------------------

  • Posted in: Pianotech

    Having a good tip I think it’s quite important, regardless of which lever you use. I used to change my tuning tips every year because I would notice little hairline cracks developing. These were Watanabe tips, cheap and available. I exchanged the tip ...

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