Pianotech

  • 1.  String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-16-2023 17:10

    Is Scott Jones still selling String Couplers? If yes, please provide his contact information if possible.

    A few U3 bass notes are sounding like they could use them.



  • 2.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-16-2023 18:03

    Hello Lyle.

    I may have the last sealed tin in existence. I believe Scott is out of that business.



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    -Phil Bondi
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  • 3.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-16-2023 18:09

    Thank you Phil.

    Time to make some homemade ones out of.....something in the shop.




  • 4.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-19-2023 06:12
    Lyle,
    If your shop experiments lead positively to something replicable and could be produced, I think several on this list would have interest.  Myself included. 

    Phil, I thought I had the last sealed tin in existence from Scott.  Ha!

    Joe Wiencek
    NYC





  • 5.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-19-2023 06:30

    Joe, I said I _may_ have, knowing there are a few of us out here who use them! I recently put one on an older(1940's) Acrosonic that had a bi-chord that always bugged me and the client. Bug - gone. That bi-chord earned that coupler! That tin is almost empty, and then there's 1 sealed...



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    -Phil Bondi
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  • 6.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-19-2023 09:30

    Hi Joe,

    I'll source the original string couplers to have a reference before trying something new. It's been a long time since I've seen them in person. Not much time for R&D these days. With a busy piano and family schedule, it may be a while.

    Joe: "Phil, I thought I had the last sealed tin in existence from Scott.  Ha!"

    Techs are on the Hoarder spectrum in some way or another, myself included!




  • 7.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-19-2023 11:47

    Lyle,

    A bread bag twisty tie on the tuning pin side of the agraffe can sometimes suffice as an ersatz coupler. The effect is mild but might do the job (and the tighter you twist it the more it grips). 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 8.  RE: String Couplers Still Available?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-19-2023 11:49
    I don’t have any more bass couplers left, but if lightly squeezed open with pliers, the regular couplers can usually span a bass bichord.

    I also like to use them on noisy duplex strings. Used this way, they do not limit the sustain like small felt pieces will when used for that purpose. Supply 88 may be a good company to approach to take on producing these?

    Joe