Pianotech

  • 1.  PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-06-2021 18:59
    Hello all,
    I have a customer with a Kawai CX-21D (1989), and it has a nonfunctioning PianoDisc player in it, model PDS-1000.  She has asked me if the value of the piano would be greater if the player were repaired, or if it would be better to just remove the thing.  She is not planning on selling the piano any time soon, I guess she just wants the information for the future.  We talked about removing it because the pedals make a lot of noise and she prefers playing the piano herself.  
    I know nothing about repairing players, so she would have to find someone to come to town and do it.
    Thanks in advance!

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    Laura Wright, RPT
    Ivory Keys Piano Service
    Durango CO
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  • 2.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-06-2021 20:36
    Hi, Laura.  You might as well tell the customer that the player system is extremely obsolete, and to make it function you would have to find used parts, which are so old that if they work now, how long will they stay working?  The only way to really "fix" the player is to replace it with new, up to date system.  And, don't forget, the pedal mechanism is different than it was when from the factory, so it must stay on as it is now.  But the rest is toast, really.   Clark

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    Clark Sprague
    Bowling Green OH
    [csprague4@gmail.com]
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  • 3.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-06-2021 21:59
    I would recommend you contact a Piano Disc installer in your area and have them remove the old system. I only say this because, as Clark said, the pedal system was modified when the Piano Disc system was installed and really should be restored to its original configuration. If you don't have the pedal system restored the installation modification will continue to make noise. A Piano Disc installer should know how do to this.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 4.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-06-2021 23:55
    This is an upright piano so couldn’t I just put in a dowel? I haven’t really looked at it closely but is something changed about the damper rod?
    Thanks!


    Sent from my iPhone




  • 5.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2021 11:12
    D'Oh! Now I feel stupid. I've, honestly, never seen a PianoDisc system on anything but a grand so that's what I was picturing in my head when I replied. Grands need that pedal restoration because the trapwork for the middle pedal either gets removed or re-engineered to accommodate the key solenoids. I don't know what is involved with an upright.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 6.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-06-2021 23:59
    This is an upright piano so couldn't I just put in a dowel for the damper pedal?
     I haven't really looked at it closely but is there something changed about the damper rod?
    Thanks!


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    Laura Wright, RPT
    Ivory Keys Piano Service
    Durango CO
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  • 7.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Member
    Posted 09-07-2021 14:55
    Take the bottom kick board off and see how the damper/sustain pedal is connected. A few pictures posted here might be useful for diagnosis. Most player systems are installed in grand pianos . There are a number of brackets installed so that the dampers can be lifted by the large pedal solenoid but also played using the regular pedal. Installs in verticals are tight fits , It may be just a simple connection or maybe not. Best to find a piano disc certified installer to bypass things. The system itself is outdated and it will be expensive to upgrade which would have to be done by a certified installer.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 8.  RE: PianoDisc PDS-1000

    Posted 09-30-2021 00:48

    hi Laura, What you can do is likely upgrade the system.  For the most parts the solenoids and main parts of the system are likely still good. Though in some cases may need some replacements.  The driver boards, cpu and all that will need to be replaced with new ones, but the new stuff still does have settings to work with legacy systems.  It would be best to contact US at pianodisc.  Even if you don't wish to upgrade, having a player system in it usually doesn't hurt anything.  If there is a rattle then that specific thing can be gotten rid of. 

    I personally cannot speak a lot to this since I am currently an apprentice and mostly know the new stuff really well, my boss has been doing these since the start so we should be able to help you out if needed.

    As far as value goes, player systems do cost a lot to do the install and an electronics upgrade may be all that is needed which is significantly cheaper than putting in a new one which is usually between a 900 dollar and 1200 dollar fee just for installation let along the price of the player system itself.  In my experience a working player system does add significantly and there may not be a lot of investment needed to get that system running again.  In the case that it does, then it may be best to leave it be, but that is a decision to be made when everything is properly assessed.



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    Zackery Hardy
    Apprentice technitian/pianodisc installer
    PianoDisc
    Elk Grove CA
    916-531-5150
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