From Bruce Gibson Piano Technician <bruce@bgpianotech.com>
So, who was the piano tech tuning the piano for Beyonce in her recent HBO documentary?
Bruce Gibson
Piano Technician
Serving the Music Community since 1984
Call or Text: 1.306.221.3786
Toll Free: 1.877.652.3571
Email: bruce@bgpianotech.com
Website: www.bgpianotech.com
P.O. Box 21063 Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-request@ptg.org
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Sent: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 8:24 PM
Subject: pianotech Digest, Vol 52, Issue 71
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Prepared frickin'piano and damaged bass strings (David Love)
2. Re: prepared frickin' piano, etc. (Alan Eder)
3. Re: First Pinbock (Noah Frere)
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:12:51 -0800
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@comcast.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Prepared frickin'piano and damaged bass
strings
Message-ID: <034f01ce0eff$05f36690$11da33b0$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yes, it was communicated. A contract was signed in which a no prepared or
hands on strings clause is included. This was a group and several pianists
were included so the director of the organization signed off on it. I'm
letting the venue handle collection aspects. Fortunately, this was a
relatively new set of strings and so the specs are readily available so
replacement will be easy. Still there is cost and time involved in
replacement and settling of the new strings.
It's all getting handled but just thought I'd throw it out there as a
precautionary note. I'm always concerned when I hear "prepared piano" and
the several concert venues I deal with have instructions that I am to be
informed if there is something like that on the program so that I can have
some say on whether and how it's done.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Gene Nelson
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:45 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Prepared frickin'piano and damaged bass strings
Curious if there is any way to trace back to find out if the policy was or
was not communicated to the pianist?
Possibly the pianist has liability insurance.
I would really like to avoid a similar situation at the venue I work.
I have dealt with string pluckers at the university where I worked years ago
but it has not come up here yet.
Your experience is the ultimate.
Gene
_____
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Euphonious Thumpe
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:26 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Prepared frickin'piano and damaged bass strings
David, I agree with you 100%! And when you hear the dread words "World
Premier" preceding a symphony orchestra broadcast on NPR these days, have
your hand ready to turn it off, or suffer! (Many "Serious Music" composers
now have the same cacophonous malevolence toward humanity as "punk rockers",
apparently.
Perhaps "getting back" at everyone, because, despite high grades, they
couldn't get a date in High School.)
Thumpe
_____
From: David Love <davidlovepianos@comcast.net>;
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>;
Subject: [pianotech] Prepared frickin'piano and damaged bass strings
Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2013 5:13:25 PM
Just came back to a piano that I service regularly after a prepared piano
piece in which six bass strings (3 pairs of bichords) were damaged
apparently by the pianist being called upon to scrape something up and down
the length of the several pairs of strings. Of course, the windings are now
rattling.
The directors of this venue have issued previously a "no prepared piano" and
"no reaching in" rule in order to avoid just this type of thing however it
apparently fell on deaf (appropriate considering the nature of the music--ok
cheap shot) ears.
Just an FYI and a bit of vent.
^%&*#$%&($)%*($)^&(#$)
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:23:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Alan Eder <reggaepass@aol.com>
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] prepared frickin' piano, etc.
Message-ID: <8CFDD17ABE41AAF-FB4-23441@webmail-d004.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I
don't believe the piece has reached the public domain.
May it never, until it can re played without harm to the instrument.
Alan Eder
-----Original Message-----
From: David Love <davidlovepianos@comcast.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2013 4:03 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] prepared frickin' piano, etc.
Yes, the people who rented the space will be billed. In answer to Ed
Foote's question, I don't know the name or composer of the piece. I think
it was a local teacher's composition and her student(s) who "played" it. I
don't believe the piece has reached the public domain.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
David,
I truly sympathize with that! Utterly stupid things happen, when stupid
people are involved! Hopefully, the "player", (I'll not call him a Pianist),
will have to pay for them! If not, then someone needs to grow a backbone,
imo.
Sheesh!
Joe
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
http://gpianoworks.com/
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:17:39 -0500
From: Noah Frere <noahfrere@gmail.com>
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] First Pinbock
Message-ID:
<CABKkihoqqqSrwEZ=_3dg-+2sk4Jpu6t9n_1drDEi0KFGWq+bCg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Okay, I've got the plate removed, and the pinblock too now. Turns out there
is a plate flange. So I think we've got a plan: 1) strengthen the heck out
of the case. 2) Replace the pinblock. Easy ;)
I've cleaned up most of the epoxy goop that some jerk put in there (gosh i
wonder who THAT was?). BTW the eopxy was West Systems, but I guess I didn't
use any filler. I'll order some High Density or Colloidal filler for the
fitting. The pinblock measures just under 38"x 8" and is 1.5" thick. I'd
like to use the most eco-friendly wood possible while still holding up
under the tension for a few decades. Any suggestions? Wouldn't it be great
to reclaim some used hardwood? Somebody should do that. I don't know if
that's possible though given the integrity needed for the pinblock. When I
replace a soundboard someday I'd like to try the green SB that the
Canadians were supposedly experimenting with a couple/few years ago.
However, when I asked them about it a few months ago I got no response.
If anyone wants to send me a pinblock from reclaimed hardwood and can
guarantee it's integrity, for a reasonable price, I would be willing to pay
higher than what Delignit or Schaff, etc. goes for.
This is to be an eco-friendly piano, after all. The felt will come from
either recycled or upcycled materials as much as possible. Et cetera,[image:
Inline image 1]
The gaps at the top of the piano were filled with square blocks. However,
they were glued to the top of the piano, and the only way to remove the top
was to bust it out, which took the 2 blocks you see missing here out. I
will of course fill in these gaps. I kind of like the idea of creating a
new back from strong beech plywood or something with holes cut out for the
handles and soundboard. However, as far as filling in these gaps first:
Terry said: " However, I'd fill the gaps with chunks of good strong
hardwood. Hard maple is fine, but there are also a slew of ring-porous
hardwoods that are very epoxy-bonding-friendly - white ash, red oak, etc.
I would remove the 3/4" (or so) hardwood (I presume) strip on the very
back top of the piano, cut hardwood blocks to fill the gaps between the
posts, drill holes (1" or so) in the ends of the blocks (two or three) and
install hardwood dowels in the block end holes (1" red oak are commonly
available and great for this application), then I'd drill/chisel/
poke/beat/chop/rout out holes in the side/rear of the post such that you
can install the filler blocks, with the dowels sticking out the sides,
between the posts from the rear." I am afraid I have read this may times
and still don't get it. Terry, would it be possible to explain this another
way? or draw a picture? or perhaps over the phone...
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