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Hidrau benches

  • 1.  Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2020 16:11
      |   view attached
    All-

    Anyone elses Hidrau benches doing this?

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    David Brown
    Garland TX
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  • 2.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2020 16:18
    We have three here, all wearing beautifully without problems, save a missing (plastic insert) foot here and there.

    Sent from my iPad




  • 3.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2020 16:22
    Not here - I think I have 8, no problems. Looks like someone wears abrasive and acid enhanced pants :-) In any case, vinyl is vinyl, and doesn't last forever. Should be fairly easy to replace the top material, as it isn't tufted.






  • 4.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-27-2020 17:18
    Hi-
    We have now at least 25 Hidrau models and a couple of the Discacciati benches also. No problems yet, but I started putting blue locktight on screws for the bottom cross piece. I'm pretty sure they will send replacement plastic caps if you ask. 

    Best,
    Dennis. 
    --
    Dennis Johnson
    Piano Technician / Music
    Office: 507-786-3587Mobile: 612-599-6437 
    1520 St. Olaf Avenue Northfield, MN 55057






  • 5.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Member
    Posted 01-29-2020 09:12
    The finish has worn off the material because of friction of the legs against the cheap material used. If you have ever see imitation leather or leather looking vinyl on a reclining chair or couch it looks exactly the same. There are repair kits that you can use to "repair" the worn areas but it probably is a waste of effort because of the large area. Maybe Hidrau can replace the bench or the top . Another option is to take it to a boat seat repair shop and get a good grade of vinyl like that used on boat seats. A shop that does car seats and headliners might also be able to put on a more durable material

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 6.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2020 09:46
    Are they wearing shorts and their bare legs are causing this?

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 7.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2020 10:05
    I've had Hidraus in practice rooms and recital hall for at least five years with no sign of deterioration. Maybe the drier climate means less sweat to add to the picture. In any case, it isn't a hard fix. Those tops are easily removable for recovering.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "Since everything is in our heads, we had better not lose them." Coco Chanel






  • 8.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2020 10:07
    Thank you all- Just normal use as you would see in a teaching studio or concert hall. Interestingly I have three Hidrau all showing this kind of wear to some degree, and a Discaciatti  which was the first one I got showing almost  no wear. There's a big difference in the softness of the seat and quality of the covering though. The boat seat shop is a great idea.

    D Brown

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    David Brown
    Garland TX
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  • 9.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2020 11:35
    Dave,
    I'd also do the folks at Hidrau the courtesy of sending them photos. They seem to have a good attitude toward quality, and would want to know if their product isn't holding up well. It's always possible they might send you new tops, or some other compensation.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    fssturm@comcast.net
    http://fredsturm.net
    www.artoftuning.com
    "Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom." Leonardo









  • 10.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Posted 01-29-2020 12:58
    Recover with leather.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 11.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2020 13:45
    Very good suggestion as always, Fred. Thank you. I didn't mean to bust on the manufacturer here, only see what my colleagues were experiencing.

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    David Brown
    Garland TX
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  • 12.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-30-2020 11:59
    We have both HM and Discacciati benches at ASU.  We have started buying HM exclusively lately as they are much easier to work with and we like the thicker, softer foam of the Ergo bench top.  We only purchase the velour fabric, as it is more comfortable and does not stick to legs; and I think it looks nicer.  We have had some wear, after over 5 years, but not much.  I purchased 25 replacement tops last year at €53 ea.  Much easier than reupholstering and includes new, original foam.  BTW, the tops fit the Discacciati benches as well.  I'm still not convinced they all don't just order from the same manufacturer.  Either that, or there is no intellectual property issues.

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    Rick Florence
    Gilbert AZ
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  • 13.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-30-2020 12:17

    David,

     

    Just curious, how old are the benches?

     

    Don McKechnie, RPT

    dmckech@ithaca.edu

    607.277.7112






  • 14.  RE: Hidrau benches

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-30-2020 18:10
    Don and all-

    Memory fades but the Discacciati with is likely 6-7 years old and the Hidraus 5-6. Great info about replacement tops Rick thank you. From whom did you buy them?

    DB

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    David Brown
    Garland TX
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