Search found 183 matches

by Withindale
17 Nov 2011, 23:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Recommend a tuner in Bideford area?
Replies: 18
Views: 22784

Re: Recommend a tuner in Bideford area?

Model V wrote:... spent far too much on a 100 year old baby grand piano which is obviously miles out of regulation etc.
I would be interested in such a piano (unrestored). Roughly how much should I offer: min, max?
by Withindale
23 Oct 2011, 16:06
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

I hope Max doesn't try and translate this to Kazakh or Russian! It would turn out as utter nonsense no doubt...... :? Mary reminded me that Donald Swann sang the second verse of the Hippopotamus song in Russian while playing the piano to improve cultural relations - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A...
by Withindale
22 Oct 2011, 16:31
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

Dear forum users and techs of piano, if I understand correctly marked pxq explanation of the word "bodger" is not offensive to me. I would say it's good word for me. In translate in Russian it sounds: "docka" ДОКА the equivalent of the master, creating something with their hands...
by Withindale
21 Oct 2011, 22:32
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

If you have non-standard pin, need to forge this pin (hot press, smithy) I am attaching a chart-drawing and photo T-hammers http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/maxim-tuner/album/170673 Now you bodgers can make your own tools. I am having trouble understanding your remark. Factory apprentices of old starte...
by Withindale
19 Oct 2011, 18:45
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

Maximillyan wrote: If you have non-standard pin, need to forge this pin (hot press, smithy) I am attaching a chart-drawing and photo T-hammers http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/maxim-tuner/album/170673
Now you bodgers can make your own tools.
by Withindale
19 Oct 2011, 16:53
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

From Maximillyan on Pianoworld: Dear tech. of piano, I happy for the activity to the discussions. Critical and fair assessment of forced me to work and learn from mistakes. I get a lot of useful information and I thank you for your research about T-hammer. For me the surprise controversy on this sub...
by Withindale
18 Oct 2011, 19:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Get a Pro. How to choose a piano technician?
Replies: 2
Views: 5828

Get a Pro. How to choose a piano technician?

You're right about bodgers and professionals. Unfortunately it is very difficult for a customer to determine one from the other, until it's too late. There are some of us who do manufacturers guarantee work around the country, Usually after a few attempts at a fix have been made by locals.... How s...
by Withindale
17 Oct 2011, 19:30
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Have any technicians had experience with new Estonia grands
Replies: 25
Views: 25991

Re: Have any technicians had experience with new Estonia gra

There was a piece about Estonia pianos on BBC radio the other day and, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd rather like one. The last thing that would worry me would be the presence of UK agents. As Barrie Heaton said in another thread their aim is to sell you a piano. We had a discussion about sell...
by Withindale
16 Oct 2011, 21:11
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

I spent 3 years full time training at Newark and then the last 27 years in this trade as a tuner tech dealer so I probably know a little about pianos. Perhaps you want to tag along next time next time im asked to tune a piano supplied by our local cowboy. I get pencils instead of hammer shanks, rub...
by Withindale
16 Oct 2011, 20:41
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

Max is in Kazakhstan. I have not been there but I have found myself traveling in similar places. There's nothing there. I have been to Kazakhstan, twice, to an industrial town several hours driving across the steppe from Astana the capital where the money is. So I can tell you RXD and Silverwood Pi...
by Withindale
16 Oct 2011, 12:19
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

mdw: You're right about bodgers and professionals. Unfortunately it is very difficult for a customer to determine one from the other, until it's too late. The cheapest deal could still be the best. A high price is no guarantee of quality or value. The piano trade seems to be a haven for the unscrup...
by Withindale
16 Oct 2011, 11:05
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

Just wondering what other feel about encouraging non-trained "tuners". What is your opinion after reading the Piano World thread ? Maximillian's opening comment was "Tuning a piano with mediator I use when tuning of piano with mediator. Such way allows to search for the sounds of the...
by Withindale
15 Oct 2011, 10:02
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

What a joke!!!! Is he bending the pins to tune, or is there a rotary component I'm missing? Yes, there is a rotary component, and he is also bending the pins to tune. Many of us have seen skilful tuners get that last 2 cents by deliberately 'lifting' the pin. I learned this from a Japanese Master T...
by Withindale
14 Oct 2011, 21:35
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Encourage or not ?
Replies: 55
Views: 331821

Re: Encourage or not ?

Gordon Bennett. You'd think he would at least get the correct tools. Novel technique too, bending pins instead of turning them. The first step in helping Max would be better equipment. If there was some way to set up an account with Frank's PianoSupplies.com for Max to use I will put in the first $...
by Withindale
13 Oct 2011, 10:02
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Pricing
Replies: 25
Views: 27566

Re: Piano Pricing

Conformity certainly covers some faults, such as manufacturing faults, but not some others that arise during transport, storage and use. Presumably that's why the directive is drafted as it is. Warranty claims on good pianos may be relatively unlikely, compared with cars and hair dryers, but it's as...
by Withindale
12 Oct 2011, 22:28
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Back check distance in an upright?
Replies: 6
Views: 8735

Re: Back check distance in an upright?

... its how the piano feels that counts. Some pianos are set to 12mm to give them more repartition ... Barrie, This YouTube movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16zHYs70Yao shows repetition on a Schulze Pollmann 126 after regulation. The sequence around 00:35 to 00:45 shows a back checks after a so...
by Withindale
12 Oct 2011, 21:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Pricing
Replies: 25
Views: 27566

Re: Piano Pricing

Ian. The Directive is quite clear ; the seller is responsible for all faults. The Directive does not mention faults. Art 3 says "The seller shall be liable to the consumer for any lack of conformity which exists at the time the goods were delivered." Art 5 says " The seller shall be ...
by Withindale
12 Oct 2011, 18:37
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Pricing
Replies: 25
Views: 27566

Re: Piano Pricing

You have this as well. The EU directive 1999/44/EC. http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/64/index_en.htm Barrie, I am no lawyer but I had a look out of interest. The principles are explained here in more detail http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/protection_of_consumers/l3202...
by Withindale
10 Oct 2011, 17:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Pricing
Replies: 25
Views: 27566

Re: Piano Pricing

Well, if people don't give a price you can name yours. New prices are here http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/pin.htm in dollars. Convert to £'s, apply a discount for a new one, knock off 50% and annual depreciation for used ones. Don't fall in love; if you do, remember money can't buy you happiness bu...
by Withindale
09 Oct 2011, 21:58
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Mine is 140 if that makes a difference.

Ian
by Withindale
09 Oct 2011, 20:26
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Thanks, I'll have another look at what key dip is possible but I'd rather not raise the hammer rail. It came with 40 mm blow but that had compromised its power. Fortunately the dampers had not been adjusted.

122 German = 1920s German?

Ian
by Withindale
09 Oct 2011, 17:58
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Of course grands and uprights are different but there are similarities too. André Oorebeek started by saying he had complete break through, "when I learned that a hammer travel distance gauge is not necessary anymore." Conventional wisdom for uprights seems to be set key dip, blow distance...
by Withindale
09 Oct 2011, 14:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Barrie Your comments have triggered these notes. Yes you are right about about improvements in uprights. After I had done some of the basic stuff Reblitz describes, our tuner, who is also a musician, said the piano was fine, which it was up to a point, and recommended leaving it alone - because it's...
by Withindale
09 Oct 2011, 13:51
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: High level buying advice
Replies: 18
Views: 20033

Re: High level buying advice

Ideally what you are looking for is a piano that has been lightly used. They exist but are not so easy to find. It may not be German or Japanese. A good one may have been abit neglected over the years and your technician will need to do some work to bring it up to scratch. No reason why it should ne...
by Withindale
08 Oct 2011, 21:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Now a 45mm blow 2mm set off, 12mm checking and 10mm Depth of touch (dip) on most modern pianos will improve the repartition, as you are altering the angel at which the jack attacks the notch (called the rake ) However, you must have firm front touch punching or you are in danger of blocking with a ...
by Withindale
08 Oct 2011, 17:35
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Re: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertou

Thank you, Barrie. I feel it's better go for even aftertouch and not worry about a delay of one or two milliseconds in the odd slightly worn hammer hitting the strings won't be noticeable. But I'd be interested to know what experienced pianists think, hence my question. Key dip is the main issue wit...
by Withindale
08 Oct 2011, 11:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: High level buying advice
Replies: 18
Views: 20033

Re: High level buying advice

Would you say it is more efficient to recruit a good technician from those that are part of existing established dealers/refurbishers or by asking the users private tuning services in the area? Find the best man you can by whatever means, taking serious note of DJS's comments and your own conclusio...
by Withindale
08 Oct 2011, 10:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?
Replies: 13
Views: 15184

Do pianists notice small changes in let off and aftertouch?

I bought my 1925 Schiedmayer & Soehne upright privately to learn to play during my retirement, when that time comes. Meanwhile I am learning to regulate it. The hammers are in good shape, as are the keys and the action. The piano had not been heavily used but its settings were completely out of ...
by Withindale
07 Oct 2011, 18:59
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: High level buying advice
Replies: 18
Views: 20033

Re: High level buying advice

Your best option could be to buy a piano in good condition privately, reserving some of your budget for a piano technician to do whatever work may be necessary. This means choosing your technician is your first step because he or she MUST inspect the instrument and assess its potential before you bu...
by Withindale
07 Oct 2011, 00:56
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinway M 1929 vs Steinway A-II 1908
Replies: 3
Views: 5404

Re: Steinway M 1929 vs Steinway A-II 1908

joe wrote:If you love the Steinway M and can afford it go buy it.
Ditto
by Withindale
06 Oct 2011, 20:25
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Back check distance in an upright?
Replies: 6
Views: 8735

Re: Back check distance in an upright?

Barrie's point about blow distance of 50 mm on older V strung pianos is interesting to me; I wondered why it's about that, along with a key dip of well under 10 mm, in my recently acquired "project piano" (well used 1922 Ibach 125). The checking distance does not appear to be anything like...
by Withindale
06 Oct 2011, 20:22
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Back check distance in an upright?
Replies: 6
Views: 8735

Re: Back check distance in an upright?

On my piano the distance is down to about 6 mm on stronger blows, with after touch set so the jack is at the point of escape as the key reaches the front punching. Que Sera Sera?

Ian
by Withindale
06 Oct 2011, 15:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Back check distance in an upright?
Replies: 6
Views: 8735

Back check distance in an upright?

Hallo The standard for backcheck distance is 5/8" (15 mm) after mf blows. My 1925 German upright seems to require rather less to catch the hammer high enough for the jack to return quickly for repetition. After pp blows in this position the catchers align with the top of the backchecks and the ...