Pianotech

  • 1.  James Lick?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-24-2023 19:12

    I am interested in astronomy as a diversionary hobby.  I just stumbled across the Lick Observatory (near San Jose, CA) and looked up its founder James Lick.

    Lick was a very interesting character with a complex history.  He was also a piano builder.  He learned his trade in New York and moved to Argentina, then to California.  His luggage contained 600 lbs of chocolate that started the Gihardelli Chocolate Company.
    Has anyone heard anything else about him?
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lick



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 795-5170
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  • 2.  RE: James Lick?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-25-2023 14:27

    Fascinating! Thanks for sharing this. He was a renaissance man of his time to be sure.

    I wonder if our colleagues in South America ever run across these old pianos.

    Ruth






  • 3.  RE: James Lick?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-25-2023 14:32

    Yes, one of our chapter members (I think was David Abdalian?) gave a technical on James Lick a while ago.  I remember that Lick's piano workbench still exists somewhere, maybe at the Observatory?  



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    Larry Lobel RPT
    San Francisco chapter
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  • 4.  RE: James Lick?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-26-2023 01:21

    Thanks.  I will get in touch with David Abdalian.



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 795-5170
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  • 5.  RE: James Lick?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-26-2023 10:47

    David is an RPT. Use the directory.

    https://ptg.users.membersuite.com/community/directory





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    Don Mannino RPT
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