Discussion Posts

Hi Laura Most soundboards are finished in shellac. I use denatured alcohol and lots of old rags to remove the old finish. Use a chisel or screwdriver covered in an alcohol soaked rag to  get in all the tight spots.  ------------------------------ Willem ...

I've only done it twice but advice I received was no sandpaper, cabinet scraper and sharp chisel for hard to reach spots. ------------------------------ Larry Messerly, RPT Bringing Harmony to Homes www.lacrossepianotuning.com ljmesserly@gmail.com 928-899-7292 ...

Hello all,   I'm looking for advice on an efficient and effective way to prepare an old soundboard for refinishing, i.e. sanding methods, etc.  I've done several in the past, and I've never been completely pleased with the results; sometimes there are ...

Good point, Wim. I should have also suggested that if they wanted to tentatively schedule something in advance for May that that was also an option. I'll definitely do that should we still be in lockdown come May. In the meantime, I will offer that as ...

Looks good, Geoff. I had about 25 pre-scheduled appointments in April. Instead of written them all and saying I will be in touch in May. I actually scheduled another appointment in May, and told each one the new date. So far only one has cancelled. The ...

At the beginning of every month I send out email reminders to all my customers whose pianos I last tuned six months ago. It now being the top of the month it's time to send out this months email reminders. But since I can't schedule anything while we ...

I just recently learned that the PTG Foundation is one of the charities available for donation through smile.amazon.com.  This is a really easy way to get donation dollars for the PTG Foundation.  If you buy through the smile.amazon portal instead of ...

Hello.  My chapter is holding its first meeting using the Zoom app, and I'm looking for ideas about what might work well as a technical. Thanks. Robert ------------------------------ Robert Callaghan Reno NV 775-287-2140 ---------------------------- ...

If you are not qualifying for a SB loan and need money to tide you over look into a home equity line of credit (if you own one).  I do have a home equity line of credit (Bank of America) which happened to be expiring later year which prompted me to look ...

Perhaps  it would be helpful to limit this thread to comments about unemployment insurance as that's what's up on the marquee.  The federal stimulus package will all be funneled though the unemployment offices so if you want some help that's where you'll ...

Unemployment is through the states. As per Jon Page comments, each state may or not be fully implemented yet. -- John Gallen, (860)428-6045 CELL Production Supervisor: Brooks, Ltd. Piano Parts, LLC Owner: 1040 Pianos(Tax Preparation) Owner:Vintage ...

I believe thru the state unemployment office, in person or online. ------------------------------ Regards, Jon Page mailto:jonpage@comcast.net http://www.pianocapecod.com ------------------------------

Yes, 941's are faithfully filed and paid.  Do I apply to NH unemployment security or through a bank? Pwg ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH 603-686-2395 pianodoctor57@gmail.com ------------------------------

First, regarding terminology. YOU are a Sole Proprietorship & your wife is an employee, UNLESS you are a qualified joint venture(QJV) meaning you both participate equally in the business. If a QJV, you produce two Schedule Cs & split both the income ...

John, We are a sole proprietorship, but my wife is an employee of the business. (Her side of it is furniture restoration and sales, though it is a joint venture and all income goes into the same pot). NH does not require spousal employees to pay into ...

It is a great idea. My plan was to travel to the PTG Convention this year, but that has a very high cost (plane tickets, hotel and convention and whatever, I live in Argentina and the economy is very bad and now it will be worse, 1 dollar = 80 Argentine ...

For me the tell is the trichord from notes 14 thru 20. That, and the Lyre and Ampersand cast into the plate next to the strut :-) ------------------------------ Karl Roeder Pompano Beach FL ------------------------------

Thank you John, for your very helpful reply to Jon, regarding the application for these "grant/loans" in Massachusetts. Best, ------------------------------ Patrick Draine Billerica MA 978-663-9690 ------------------------------

I can almost make out a cast plate name...the shape of that  cast bit didn't look like Steinway to, but I am no expert by any means, on Steinways. ------------------------------ Jim Ialeggio grandpianosolutions.com Shirley, MA 978 425-9026 -------- ...

There is no 5% loan as part of the recent disaster relief. As far as MA goes, you will have to wait until they get into compliance with the federal guidelines. On CT, one of our members filled out the form as if he were the employer. This is entirely ...

Mr. Ialeggio, It's a Steinway model D. From the finish on the plate and the bridge pin pattern I'm guessing it's Mr Hughes from Maryland's work. But I'm an unreliable source in this regard. About the make and model though I'm pretty confident. The Photographer, ...

Like the subject says...I'm looking at the spacing of the front back bridge pins in the monochords, which is similar to something I am currently experimenting with. Quite tight...much less than the common 18-15mm...termination offset is harder to read ...

I, for one, love the idea of a virtual conference. I wasn't planning on going to the conference this year due to time/money constraints - getting to Florida from Alaska is a big commitment and I really have no desire to go to Florida in the middle of ...

What I have read so far with what is available is that the self employed can not receive benefits. You can apply for a SBA loan at 5% interest. It may be forgiven if the majority of it goes to paying employee salaries. Unless you are incorporated, this ...

The advice given me was that piano tuning, no matter what you or I think, is not a "necessity;" and as to do so involves entering other peoples' homes, for a period of time greater than an hour which can subject ourselves and the residents to exposures ...

Chris.  Yes, I understood that and I understand the technique.  I realize many people use it and my post wasn't to be taken as a criticism of individual choice. I'm just not a fan. It's certainly a quick and easy remedy of sorts. I just don't care ...

John You should get out of the house once in a while. ------------------------------ Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT Mililani, HI 96789 ------------------------------

There have already been updates to some of this information as released in the SBA Guidelines on 04/03. -- John Gallen, (860)428-6045 CELL Production Supervisor: Brooks, Ltd. Piano Parts, LLC Owner: 1040 Pianos(Tax Preparation) Owner:Vintage ...

Ed Yes they could.  But if it were constructed around a focussed conference such that the participants would be a group then the Q&A that followed would  have more participants and that might be a might be a benefit.  Organizationally it might also ...

David, First, it is not a fabric softener per se, but a mixture with one of the ingredients being fabric softener. The mixture is 1 part softener, 1 part alcohol, 1 part water. Interestingly, my first concern was exactly yours, did it penetrate or stay ...

Covid-19 Quick Links Canadian: The Government of Canada maintains a single resource page with links to programs for individuals, business and industries:   https://www.canada.ca/…/departm…/economic-response-plan.html In The USA: Unemployment ...

David- Let's loosen the bounds a little further. There's no need to confine on-line classes to a four day schedule. Classes could be presented once or twice a week throughout the year. A Saturday class could be scheduled to fit all USA time zones. ------------------------------ ...

How hard would it be to organize a virtual conference? Teachers could prep presentations to be given as live streams where questions could also be asked. I've attended a few such virtual conferences recently. I'm certainly not a tech person but since ...

For clarification, the statement about cancellation of the 2020 Institute in Orlando was my conjecture. The board will have to make this difficult decision in mid-May, and I imagine much creative thinking will be brought to the table in searching for ...

Not to be a contrarian but just want to offer my two cents on these two methods and hammer voicing procedures generally.  I have heard many pianos treated with fabric softener.  I would not suggest this method except under the most extreme circumstances ...

Resource guide for grants, loans, taxes, etc. Get the CARES Act Guide ------------------------------ Steven Rosenthal Honolulu HI 808-521-7129 ------------------------------

To insure correct alignment, use the adjacent keys as splints. This way, length, level, and angles can be maintained. Consider the position of the hole not only front to back to position the front of the key in line with adjacent keys but side to side ...

I am trying to figure out the best course of action after gluing back the two halves of a keystick that cracked in the middle of the key. I will post a picture of before and after. to make it clear how bad the break was I used strips of veneer to strengthen ...

I found that its possible to  tune with nitrile gloves on and wear a mask, a good idea anyway to prevent sneezing when there's dust in and around the piano. ------------------------------ Frank French, RPT Piano Technician Tuners Art frank@tunersart.com ...

Excellent idea, Ed. I hope someone with the power to make it happen does so. ------------------------------ Andrea Hackbarth Palmer AK 907-435-7697 ------------------------------

Jim wrote:  Right!...and besides, this discussion list is supposed to be a about Covid-19  <G> Here you have it, from an authoritative source, that staying home and reading back issues of the Journal for the next three months will significantly ...

Yes, by all means let's limit our discussions to the fewest possible number of people. ------------------------------ Karl Roeder Pompano Beach FL ------------------------------

Right!...and besides, this discussion list is supposed to be a about Covid-19  <G> ------------------------------ Jim Ialeggio grandpianosolutions.com Shirley, MA 978 425-9026 ------------------------------

Thank you Chris ------------------------------ Jonathon Lorek Painesville OH 440-539-7354 ------------------------------

Good idea.  Given Florida's belated and weak response to containing the COVID-19 virus I, for one, will be very apprehensive about setting foot anywhere in the state anytime soon. ddf ------------------------------ [Delwin D] Fandrich] [RPT] [Piano ...

1. Todd just mis-spoke, which can happen on live performances, it's 1-1-1.  He said he also uses a 50/50 alcohol/rose water solution , but was unable to demonstrate that as i was unable to get rose water. However, I find Lavender essential oil to be rather ...

Ed- May I ask you to delete this and move it to PTG-L , please? Thank you! ------------------------------ David Brown Garland TX ------------------------------

I know I have a few questions on the topic but I think the clarifications I'm seeking will help a few others on this topic. Thank you again for posting the video. 1. In the video a mixture of 1:3 fabric softener and alcohol is mentioned, but you are ...

The mixtures are 1-1-1 of All fabric softener, alcohol, water. Just remember the purpose of the alcohol is to carry the softener and water into the felt. I have had to add more alcohol to the mixture when i wanted to apply from the side of the hammer ...

I like the idea of a  mini-technical on the old S&S damper spoons.  It's nearly impossible to bend them if they are twisting.   How about using super glue to glue them in place?  Or maybe epoxy?  Inquiring minds want to know. Joy! Elwood ------------------------------ ...