Dr. Jon Kohl solves the Piano Temperament issue!

Equal temperament or unequal temperament? 

The question is answered for piano technicians once and for all!

Voicing and Tone: What Piano Buyers and Owners Should Know by Sally Phillips

The most succinct piece on voicing that I've read to date. Armed with this information a prospective buyer might actually enter the showroom knowing more about voicing than the dealer:

Piano Buyer/Voicing

IVORY NAZIS ARE HERE! HURRY! HIDE YOUR PIANO BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

The movie is in the public domain.

The discussion on the ivory issue is here: Piano World Forums

My favorite piano tech tools: Damper Underlever Jig.

Damper Underlever Jig and Damper Bean Bag  

Supporting grand damper underlevers on a rigid, straight fixture during damper installation is the best way to ensure a perfectly even lever height. That in turn allows uniform damper lift with the pedal and the keys, even sostenuto operation, and accurate damper stop rail adjustment. This jig does the job beautifully, with simple knurled brass height adjusters and a clean, functional design.

Available to the trade only from:

 Spurlock Specialty Tools

Home study correspondence courses? | Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum | Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums

Under discussion: The Randy Potter School.

 Link:

Home study correspondence courses? | Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum | Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums

More piano moving slapstick!

 

ca.1914

What have you done lately about the Digital Behemoth?

That piano technicians endure in the face of continuous assault upon market share by the Digital Behemoth, is probably due to the fact that we remain a recognized industry in our own right. This is due primarily to the Piano Technicians Guild. Even though some of us are not members, all techs reap the benefits of the PTG's organizational presence within the music industry and in local communities far and wide as well. But more has to be done. Even with the efforts of the PTG, our industry cannot withstand the digital onslaught forever. To this end, consumer education is needed. Don't count on dealers and manufacturers to do this. Indeed, many  have a vested interest in the continued success of the digital. To educate the public on the benefits of the piano and the disadvantages of the digital is our job.

 

BOB WIDDING

PIANO TECHNICIAN

2014

A bit of piano movers' slapstick!

ca.1938.

Interview with a concert piano technician.

One of the UK's leading piano technicians discusses his role; how the piano technician contributes to the overall sound and copes with the requirements of top artists in demanding circumstances. He also explains, in some detail, what makes the Yamaha CFX so special from a technical viewpoint.
For more information visit http://www.yamaha.com

THE PIANO TUNER Vaudeville Routine 1911

Here is a funny vaudeville routine recorded in 1911 by Ada Jones and Steve Porter.

Claude Dampier as a piano tuner from the film Radio Parade of 1935

Comedy.

Pianometry: Theorem #1: The shortest distance between piano sales and piano service is a tightrope.

In "pianometry" the shortest distance between sales and service is a tightrope. Salesman sells a piano saying: "It only needs tuning once a year." He later contracts the tech to do the complimentary in-home tuning. Buyer is aghast when tech tells the truth: "It'll need mucho tunings - especially in the first year or two, then at least twice per year thereafter." Buyer complains to salesman. Salesman complains to tech.

Such is the ongoing conflict between sales and service.

Is there a way to salvage a potential loss in future maintenance revenue whilst remaining in good graces with the piano dealer? Perhaps. Remind the salesman that with every new unit sold goes a manufacturers warranty and care guide. These almost always recommend several tunings in the first year and at least twice per year thereafter.

Will it work? Won't know unless we try.

I know of at least one case where it worked quite well - so well, in fact, that one particular salesmen incorporated into his pitch: "If you cannot afford proper maintenance, you cannot afford the piano." Prospects were so impressed by his candor and honesty that he experienced an increase in piano sales. It was a win for everyone: Dealer, salesman, tech and especially the buyer.

Did this knowledge of higher costs tend to drive business to digitals? Yes. However, the salesman's effective counter was: “Yes, we've sold a few, but most come back in a year or two wanting the real thing, that is, the piano."


BOB WIDDING
PIANO TECHNICIAN
2014.

Price fixing by Piano Technicians? Don't make me laugh!

"Also, the PTG makes a big effort to keep discussion of money out of its operations. There are heavy federal penalties for any suggestion of price manipulation, so we don't get into it. The price of any given tech is not set or promoted [by] the PTG, it is a result of the individual tech's efforts and expertise. There are RPT's out there doing such a poor job that they get little return business and have no way to raise their prices, and there are RPT's that, like myself, have tuned our prices and quality of work to our market so closely that we are maxed out for time, and our prices reflect that, i.e. if you want my time, it will cost a lot more than another tech who's quality of work hasn't created more demand for their services.

"If we want more income, we either work longer hours, or we make our time more valuable. We can't blame anyone or any organization for the market. " - RPT 

The discussion is here:

Piano World Forum

The ca.1990s Baldwin C1 Grand Piano looks a lot like an R, but it isn't !

The 1990s second tier Baldwin C1 Classic Grand 5'7" (above) is sometimes mistaken for the much better quality Baldwin R Artist Series Grand  (5'8").  Though USA made, the C1 is inferior quality both in materials and workmanship.

The Musical Herald: Notes on F. Liszt, A. Rubinstein, et al., ca.1886.

The Musical Herald monthly magazine (June 1886)

Notes on Liszt, et al., from The Musical Herald monthly magazine (June1886)

The Musical Herald July 1886. Ivers & Pond Piano Company.

The Musical Herald monthly magazine (July 1886)

From The Musical Herald

C.C. Briggs & Co., Pianoforte. Knabe Piano-Fortes. ca.1886.

From The Musical Herald monthly magazine of 1886

From The Musical Herald monthly magazine of 1886

Mason & Hamlin: The Old Method. The New Method. ca.1886

From The Musical Herald monthly magazine   (July 1886)

"The Metal Carrier System"

The Schaff Music Wire Dispenser Brake Instructions.

Houston, Texas ca.1948. Recognize anyone?

Houston, Texas ca.1948. From the left: Dean Meyers, Jim Alexander, Ann Rubin, Joyce Meyers, Anna Widding (mom), and Bob Widding (dad) at the piano. The photo was taken in the basement of either the Meyers, Alexander or Rubin home. Presumably, Mr. Rubin took the picture. Dad was general manager of Columbia Dry Goods at the corner of Travis and Prairie in downtown Houston until 1957 when it closed due to a fire. I think Dean Meyers was an M.D., but I may be mistaken.  Beyond this, nothing is known of the photo.