Discussion Posts

Thank you to those of you who have responded. This is my first post to the Pianotech list and I appreciate the input of you experienced techs who have weighed in. I have experimented with a single needle poke into several bushings, with good improvement ...

Hi Robert, Although, I don’t have any personal experience doing this. I know a technician who said he successfully needled leather bushings. I’m sure you’re familiar with the technique of inserting a needle parallel to the vertical surface that contacts ...

Putting oil on leather keyboard pin bushings has been discussed before. Here is an excerpt from my message in September 2021: Balistol claims that it's also can be used an excellent leather conditioner. However, if you look further at the Ballistol ...

Roger, The heat from the screw will soften any glue, natural or unnatural. Peter Grey Piano Doctor  ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) 686-2395 pianodoctor57@gmail.com ------------------------------

I'm curious as to whether the Spurlock method will work with modern pianos that don't use hide glue. Anyone use that technique on non-hide glue joints? If it doesn't work, then the boring jig may not be dead. Roger ------------------------------ Roger ...

Bill, There is a remote possibility that there is a second one floating around my shop somewhere which (if so) will be a gift to you. I'll get to looking.  Peter Grey Piano Doctor  ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) ...

Peter went: I haven't used mine in years but the extraction method that Bill Spurlock taught has served me well. I Read Bill Spurlock's Pace Lesson on this (NOV '93) on my way out the door yesterday. I wish I had read yours, because Spurlock was ...

I'm a little late to the party here, but is it the entire unison, or just one pin/string? If it's just one, in a pinch, I think it would be a good idea to mute it. If it's the middle string, mute the outside strings with foam ear plugs (or something sufficient) ...

Robert, I have zero experience with that specifically, however you might try a dab of Balistol on one or two and see what happens. It claims to be a leather rejuvenator (among other things).  Peter Grey Piano Doctor  ------------------------------ ...

Bill, Yes, I agree with Floyd. I haven't used mine in years but the extraction method that Bill Spurlock taught has served me well. Basically a small hole drilled into the top of the buried shank, squirt alcohol/water mix in the hole and let it set ...

Actually as it is from the factory it is so bad that I would consider it a Steinwas right out of the door. The hammers are as hard as rocks... cannot get a needle in them, the keys are starting to chuck...etc etc.  Not impressed in the slightest.  ...

Contact Ward Guthrie. His daughter was (is?) a professional harpist and I'm sure he can give you some help.  ------------------------------ Benjamin Sanchez, RPT Piano Technician / Artisan (256) 947-9999 www.professional-piano-services.com ------- ...

I've come across SS duplexes which are in tune and bring a musicality to the top octave and others which aren't. Steinway or Steinwas they should be in tune and if they're not intended to be and are not an Steinway might just as well be a Steinwas. As ...

Ed, Proximal is the direction needed (judging strictly by my ear). This is good to know but I've never done it. Don't want to scratch up the plate if possible though.  I have the duplex setup specs straight from the factory on a sheet given to ...

I have one of these, somewhere.  I found this by searching "piano hammer head boring jig", then looking at Images.  I'm not sure if it's still for sale. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.pianoworld.com%2F%2Fgallery%2F42%2Ffull%2F10678.jpg&tbnid=O6LWLExOq0gLiM&vet=12ahUKEwiL6LuqrYH-AhXDiO4BHf2NCf8QMygGegQIARBB..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.pianoworld.com%2Fubbthreads.php%2Fgalleries%2F2779539%2Fun-named-hammer-boring-jig.html&docid=5OzY8T0yvQ69IM&w=800&h=600&q=piano%20hammer%20head%20boring%20jig&client=firefox-b-1-d&ved=2ahUKEwiL6LuqrYH-AhXDiO4BHf2NCf8QMygGegQIARBB ...

I am doing a regulation job on a Mason & Hamlin AA from 1910. It has many new parts, hammers, shanks, flanges, wippens, etc. are recent and in good shape for regulation. Newer key buttons with cloth bushings, which I have worked with in the past and know ...

They have a two wheeler dolly made for harps. We had a Harp Concert at a church here recently and the harpist moved her pedal harp easily from her mini-van. It was a full size concert harp ------------------------------ James Kelly Owner- Fur Elise ...

Hi all, Does anyone know how to properly move a standard harp? This is just a shot in the dark. I've never moved one or seen one moved. Thanks Paul

Floyd Gadd went: The approach I learned from the writing of Bill Spurlock has resulted in my hammer boring jig gathering dust. Piano Technicians Journal - November 1993 - Page 19 - Vertical Shank Replacement. Thanks, I'll ...

The duplex bars are usually easy to tap proximally, not so much the other way. To lengthen the scale, lowering tension by 300 cents or so may allow enough slack, but the stability will be gone for a while. Be advised that changing the back scale ...

I just dealt with a SS D (5 years old) that has a so badly placed duplex scale that it seems to be seriously interfering with the "good stuff". Based on the fact that when I muted it out things Improved greatly I may be called upon to "fix" this.  ...

The approach I learned from the writing of Bill Spurlock has resulted in my hammer boring jig gathering dust. Piano Technicians Journal - November 1993 - Page 19 - Vertical Shank Replacement. ------------------------------ Floyd Gadd RPT Regina SK ...

I now have two let off racks.. I am ready to go for my next grand regulation job! ------------------------------ Patrick Greene OWNER Knoxville TN (865) 384-6582 ------------------------------

Thank you for the first part of your reply, Wim. Please understand that I was not suggesting that a spectrum analyzer provides the answer when diagnosing anything. I was only observing that this guy pointed out a problem with P1, specifically, on that ...

Geoff I would add a little B72 to the shoulders of the hammers. But this brings up a rather interesting question. What good is a spectrum analyzer if the technician doesn't know what to do with what is being shown. I'm not disregarding your ...

As I follow the Piano Scope conversation, and the mention of Piano Meter in the conversation, I discovered that many tuning apps include a spectrum analysis feature. On the Piano Scope website there is a video where he demonstrates his spectrum analyzer ...

The only one I know about is Renner's "Upright Hammer Boring Jig," which unfortunately appears to be sold out at the moment. You might call and ask if they have one in stock that's not appearing on the website.  ------------------------------ Benjamin ...

What's the current version of the #16175 from the '82 APSCO catalog? I have to replace a spinet hammershank tomorrow, don't know when my trusty 16175 got left elsewhere (years ago), and will have to bring along my small bench drill press to ...

Hi all, I have a customer who's wonderful movers lost the music desk for their 1910 Knabe 5'6 grand.  See picture attached.  I'm looking for a replacement possibly from a similar piano. This is a complete music desk.  The width side to side measures 55 ...

Thanks, David. I'll get some Roo Glue and give it a try. Alan ------------------------------ Alan Eder, RPT Herb Alpert School of Music California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA 661.904.6483 ------------------------------

I've been using "Roo Glue" with success the last couple of years. Recommend you try it. David Graham Graham Piano Service, Inc. 512 S. Main St. Sycamore IL 60178 815-353-5450 grahampiano1@yahoo.com

These features are in the latest Beta version, which can be accessed in the "community" section of www.pianoscope.app ------------------------------ Floyd Gadd RPT Regina SK (306) 502-9103 ------------------------------

PianoScope has just been optimized for bottom-to-top unisons-as-you-go tuning, using an app-generated tone as an aural target.  In over-pull mode, the synthesized target is appropriately adjusted for over-pull.  When headphones are used, and appropriate ...

James,  While it is always interesting to learn how different techs accomplish various tasks, my question was not about re-affixing loose ivories, but re-attaching early vintage plastic replacement keytops that are starting to become unattached. ...

I recently re-attached all of the ivory heads on a grand piano using the heads that the owner had stored I used a latex based key ntop cement item 8E01032 I purchased from New Octave Global I have also used Elmers multi purpose Glue-All as well as PVC-E ...

Wow.  The piano is truly a remarkable machine and this sounds like a interesting device.  I am so glad I am in the PTG as every day I learn something new. ------------------------------ Patrick Greene OWNER Knoxville TN (865) 384-6582 ------------- ...

Greetings Lists, A hundred year old piano with what look to be an early vintage of plastic replacement keytops has said keytops separating from the keysticks at the front of the keys. Naturals cannot be leveled without first addressing this issue. ...

Hi Everyone,<o:p></o:p> I recently finished designing a new piano touch weight tool   that I call Inertia Touch Wave (ITW). There have been a lot of questions asking "What does it do?" So I will try to explain it here.<o:p></o:p> What it does is ...

Thank you Ed for a conscise and articlulate answer. Doug

Tim, Since I retired from Kawai a few months ago, this might be something I can help with. I love stringing, and can get it done reasonable fast. I'll be in touch privately. Sorry, I'm not interested in doing full time home service, ...

Tim, An interesting idea.  I'm assuming cost is no object or barrier.  Peter Grey Piano Doctor  ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) 686-2395 pianodoctor57@gmail.com ------------------------------

I like to lay a short, thin, clear, plastic rule across the adjacent agraffes, on top of the wire so that I can see if the installed one is going to have its holes, (at their top) at the same height. This is done 1/2 turn away from final so that the ...

Hi all, When replacing an agraffe how is it determined the replacement agraffe will have the same string plane  as the surrounding original agraffes once it is tightened to the plate? Thank you. Doug ------------------------------ Douglas Mahard ...

Hello Friends, I'm still trying hard to find a good tuner/tech who would like to live on Maui in Hawaii. I'm the only PTG member here and could use another qualified tech. In the meantime, does anyone know of a good tech who might be willing to ...

Pat, Yes, I'm sure Jim has a truckload of Chickering stuff. Screws I have. I was looking to get threaded rod and wanted to correctly determine the thread.   Peter Grey Piano Doctor  ------------------------------ Peter Grey Stratham NH (603) ...

This post is from a long time ago but I recently bought a 1916 Steinway Model O with an identical case.  The key to removing the action is that it slides out with the cheek blocks and keyframe.  After you remove the two screws into the two cheek blocks ...

Hi Patrick! You can contact me at 615-206-0077, xt. 148 or go directly to the parts order desk at xt. 101. Thanks! Jane ------------------------------ Veronica Jane Jones Piano Service Manager Samick Music Corporation Hendersonville, TN 615-206-0077 ...

The Tools & Parts: Buy, Sell, and Exchange community is here: https://my.ptg.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=f4a25fd8-5a52-46ac-abe0-a7a33321eaf0 ------------------------------ Benjamin Sanchez, RPT Piano Technician / Artisan (256) ...

Hello Veronica, yes, this is the correct style hinge/bracket I'm looking for.  I will contact you for ordering.  Thank you for reaching out., Keith ------------------------------ H. Keith Stephens Grayson GA (770) 883-3108 ----------------------- ...

Hello Veronica, This was a timely post by Keith.  I have a Hobart Cable console with the same problem.  How do we order parts from Samick or yourself? I had also thought about pulling one off a console action I had lying around. Thank you Patrick ...