Search found 189 matches
- by Johnkie
- 16 Oct 2011, 23:23
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: Encourage or not ?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 334820
Re: Encourage or not ?
My original post was prompted by a collection of videos showing someone working in ways that at first, I thought were complete spoofs. Having realised that this guy was in fact, being serious, I became seriously concerned about how many professional tuner/technicians (mostly on the American piano si...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Oct 2011, 13:54
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: Encourage or not ?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 334820
Re: Encourage or not ?
Thank the Lord that you think the same ....this guy does all sorts of crazy things, and is a regular poster on the American site. At first I thought his videos were some kind of joke, but when the penny dropped that they weren't, I posted a comment stating that I thought he should wear a stetson and...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Oct 2011, 11:56
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: Encourage or not ?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 334820
Encourage or not ?
Just wondering what other feel about encouraging non-trained "tuners". An example of which is clearly demonstrated by following this link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQ-ZInLsF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQ-ZInLsF4
- by Johnkie
- 09 Sep 2011, 19:34
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: Playing from memory...To be or not to be?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 26907
Re: Playing from memory...To be or not to be?
John Ogden was wed to a Brenda; not the same woman was it? (after DM carked it, of course - not suggesting bigamy!) Ohhhh Gill ..... If only all moderators (and posters in general ) had your sense of humour .... I love it !!!!! :lol: :wink: Brenda ...... and now you imply, Big Amy .... :lol: :lol: ...
- by Johnkie
- 09 Sep 2011, 01:12
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: Playing from memory...To be or not to be?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 26907
Re: Playing from memory...To be or not to be?
If Johnkie is about.... wondered if he ever tuned his grands! I had tuition with Denis around 1980 - 1982 and his much-younger wife, Brenda McDermott.... they lived in Jesmond (Adderstone Cresc I think) near Newcastle. Regrettably Denis commited suicide around 1987 on Xmas Day.... poor chap, very e...
- by Johnkie
- 02 Sep 2011, 22:05
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: How would you improve piano design...
- Replies: 2
- Views: 6829
Re: How would you improve piano design...
I've told you before about using drugs Mark
- by Johnkie
- 01 Sep 2011, 17:43
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: W H Barnes piano maker
- Replies: 30
- Views: 44775
Re: W H Barnes piano maker
Colin Nicholson » Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:28 pm Just read the previous comments to this, and I think (deep down) & in general, there will always be some form of "negative advertising" on the go.... its only natural (hence, our signatures/ titles/ job description/ years of employment & ...
- by Johnkie
- 28 Aug 2011, 12:46
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: W H Barnes piano maker
- Replies: 30
- Views: 44775
Re: W H Barnes piano maker
I can't see why Bill seems to be irked by Mark's observations. I understood that this forum was for the benefit of everyone, and that all that post here, do it without any idea of making money. It does appear that the history section run by Bill, gives a great deal of general information that is hel...
- by Johnkie
- 14 Aug 2011, 22:07
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: The Mrs had a baby on Friday
- Replies: 11
- Views: 14542
Re: The Mrs had a baby on Friday
Many congratulations Mark - She's adorable. Good to hear of someone's good news in these terrible times of riots and the like. Enjoy your month off ... but keep us posted on her progress from time to time if you get a moment ot two. Best wishes from Geordie Land (including Co Durham .... NE England ...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Aug 2011, 21:52
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Career Advice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 17489
Re: Career Advice
Hi Ben - Tricky question ! Speaking as someone who has been in the trade for decades working on a self-employed basis I would find it difficult to take someone under my wing for a day per week. The type of work that a tuner / technician does, doesn't lend itself to do an apprentice justice. Most of ...
- by Johnkie
- 03 Aug 2011, 22:19
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: First Piano Advice
- Replies: 17
- Views: 19654
Re: First Piano Advice
Great comment Vernon .... Very funny .... love itvernon wrote:Newcatle on Tyne or Newcastle Staffs?
There's one in Australia too !!
- by Johnkie
- 02 Aug 2011, 20:33
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: First Piano Advice
- Replies: 17
- Views: 19654
Re: First Piano Advice
Geography not your strong subject Mark ? Co Durham is North East England .... not IrelandMarkGoodwinPianos wrote:That's funny. A chap flew over from Dublin today to see my Yamaha U1 pianos.
Have you come across Nial from Piano Centre in County Monaghan yet? He's a nice chap
- by Johnkie
- 02 Aug 2011, 13:49
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: First Piano Advice
- Replies: 17
- Views: 19654
Re: First Piano Advice
Hi Snoot - Is the Petrof belonging to your niece for sale, or are you merely considering the option of buying one of the same make? I ask, because if she is considering selling it, then you would be best advised to get it looked over and tuned so that you have a better idea of it's potential. It's a...
- by Johnkie
- 23 Jul 2011, 15:00
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Blind tuner question
- Replies: 2
- Views: 4847
Blind tuner question
Over the years I've worked alongside fellow tuners that have been blind. Every one that I had ever met was a top-notch master of his craft. They all trained either at a workshop or college for the blind. With the rise of popularity and increased use of Electronic Tuning Devices ... I wonder if there...
- by Johnkie
- 16 Jul 2011, 14:54
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Abernathy Piano Co.?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 17548
Re: Abernathy Piano Co.?
That's a relief. But brace yourself for the news that it may not tune up and that the dampers may be beyond use. Play a loud chord, then let go straight away. Does the piano silence itself immediately or ring on? I don't think this is an overdamper Mark - It looks it, at first glance, but if it wer...
- by Johnkie
- 06 Jul 2011, 09:45
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Schlesinger upright from Russell & Son, Leicester
- Replies: 7
- Views: 10423
Re: Help with dating/history of Schlesinger upright piano?
Schlesinger was a Russian piano maker located in St Petersburg. Sorry that's all the info there is
- by Johnkie
- 26 Jun 2011, 22:55
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Romance on the forum.........
- Replies: 23
- Views: 18661
Re: Romance on the forum.........
......ooh Johnkie!..... let it DROP !! ...... regulation lessons start next week!! Must say just one more thing to you two (Bi-chord!) .... it ain't that much fun being (Single) and may your time together be in perfect (unison). If either of you ever feel like throttling the other (Tri-chord). You'...
- by Johnkie
- 26 Jun 2011, 21:35
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Romance on the forum.........
- Replies: 23
- Views: 18661
Re: Romance on the forum.........
What made me guess ? I think it was the sudden drop in the number of your posts ... and just one or two comments I read before your posts went from several per day down to the odd one or two.... one of which ( not your post )I recall clearly stated your name was Kari ..... not Keri :wink: I take it ...
- by Johnkie
- 26 Jun 2011, 14:56
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Romance on the forum.........
- Replies: 23
- Views: 18661
Re: Romance on the forum.........
Well well ..... I have a feeling that something like this was happening (really ... honest !) - Without doubt this must be one of the nicest posts ever on the forum. I do hope that Kari doesn't tell you off Colin .... I'm pretty sure that everyone here is delighted to hear the good news, and wish th...
- by Johnkie
- 24 Jun 2011, 13:17
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bought a Bechstein 10 - what do you think
- Replies: 20
- Views: 24418
Re: Bought a Bechstein 10 - what do you think
Have been using it for about 15 years got it from the USA at first its far better than graphite as it is white for starters, will not stain if you get it on the carpet or your clothes . Barrie Teflon powder certainly makes big difference - I use it on rollers mostly. A word of warning though ... it...
- by Johnkie
- 23 Jun 2011, 21:48
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: B. Squire & Son Upright with serial 36147
- Replies: 13
- Views: 19968
Re: B. Squire & Son Upright with serial 36147
I can't tell a lie Collin .... yes I have had the odd broken string throughout my 45 years in the trade, so perhaps your method might have saved them too :wink: I merely consider it a little dangerous passing on this kind of advice for non-professionals ... I've seen many cases where pianos have bee...
- by Johnkie
- 23 Jun 2011, 19:25
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: B. Squire & Son Upright with serial 36147
- Replies: 13
- Views: 19968
Re: B. Squire & Son Upright with serial 36147
I'm firmly with Vernon on this one ..... I have only ever used any kind of lubricant on sticking studs, and never on coils or wrestpins. I'm also quite alarmed that a suggestion of using oil be given as advice. Much safer to leave such ideas un-said and left to the skills of the professional who kno...
- by Johnkie
- 19 Jun 2011, 11:46
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Overdamper action in upright pianos
- Replies: 15
- Views: 18705
Re: Overdamper action in upright pianos
I'd never dream of causing embarassment to anybody-Bill in particular. No doubt good modern pianos are in every respect much much better-but one can not be denied an "escape"to romanticism through the rich sound these old pianos produce---after all they are a substantial part of piano his...
- by Johnkie
- 18 Jun 2011, 23:45
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Overdamper action in upright pianos
- Replies: 15
- Views: 18705
Re: Overdamper action in upright pianos
I do try to remind people frequently that this is a piano HISTORY forum, it's not about keeping up with the modern specifications, or valuation, it's about history. I am not an expert on the classic music aspects, but it seems to me that the whole 88-note thing has nothing to do with the "grea...
- by Johnkie
- 16 Jun 2011, 23:18
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
I'm amazed, Gill. I believe you - but isn't that crazy, to say nothing of lack of respect for your skills! Only by reading this thread have I ever appreciated the need of quiet for a piano tuner, as I have never had a piano (my parents did but I was never there when it was tuned) and so I was very ...
- by Johnkie
- 14 Jun 2011, 23:10
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Overdamper action in upright pianos
- Replies: 15
- Views: 18705
Re: Overdamper action in upright pianos
I have an upright piano by the early 1900's. It has a good sound, iron frame, spruce soundboard, ivory keys, etc. but it has a separate damper action mounted above the hammers, called an overdamper action. My question is... can I change the action by modern action? Thank you. Generally speaking, ov...
- by Johnkie
- 13 Jun 2011, 23:10
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Bill will know what it is
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7625
Re: Bill will know what it is
Sorry guys ... this is the only photo I have ..... and I've got to come clean and admit it came from a post on the American site. I myself wondered if the contraption attached to the strange big lever to the left hand side was in fact masking a perfectly normal hammer rest i.e honky tonk rail or cel...
- by Johnkie
- 13 Jun 2011, 17:19
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Bill will know what it is
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7625
Bill will know what it is
Anyone know exactly what this strange arrangement is for ? Can't say that I've ever come across anything like it ..... Not any kind of hammer rest that I've seen, so perhaps it might be something quite different.
- by Johnkie
- 12 Jun 2011, 13:59
- Forum: Idle Chitchat
- Topic: Piano logistics liquidated and bought out?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 20031
Re: Piano logistics liquidated and bought out?
Asking me if I'm busy is one thing. That's polite. Telling me who else is busy or quiet is beyond their remit. But like I said I don't remember which company's movers were doing this but it was one of the bigger ones. but that's the piano trade.... They are use to being asked who selling what and w...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Jun 2011, 20:05
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Speak to David Fry, he is an ivory expert. 07796 293274 and is based in Kent. I was led to believe that Dave Fry and Bob Pierce were the same person ... I do wish people would fly their true flags ...it would save people having to rely on board gossip, and help others to sift the "good, bad, &...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Jun 2011, 14:06
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
The polish is extremely light and is buffed off afterwards. It seals the surface and does not dry sticky. I know people who use it on other intruments including stringed instruments and are very happy. You may well genuinely belive this to be so :) but it's no different to cleaning windows with any...
- by Johnkie
- 10 Jun 2011, 13:31
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Excellent product for ivory is Renaissance wax polish http://www.picreator.co.uk/articles/3_renaissance_wax.htm Sorry to disagree with you Pianomate, but whilst this wax polish may be perfect for protecting ivory from contamination, it certainly does nothing constructive on the working surfaces of ...
- by Johnkie
- 06 Jun 2011, 10:37
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
By all means Mark - It's abosolutely fine by me - I't's a pleasure to be able to pass on little tips to people that save them having to fork out their hard earned money. Most customers flinch when I say use Brasso metal cleaner .... The thought of using something that's marketed to clean metal is in...
- by Johnkie
- 05 Jun 2011, 23:41
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Thank-you everyone for your replies to my first posting here. But Johnkie, I am terribly upset enough to have damaged my piano keys, and if in reading everyone's advice here I decide that I would feel happier for a professional to come and actually see the keys, then that is my choice. I have noted...
- by Johnkie
- 05 Jun 2011, 01:17
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Thank-you - does anyone know a professional near me, in Surrey or surrounding areas? I'm very scared to use anything like Brasso! I feel I've taken a top layer off would it now make them more porous? What a waste of time this post was ! Someone comes here seeking professional advice on how to put t...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 22:52
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
I would add that a professional will produce even better results than my aforementioned " proffessional." Sorry to be so penadtic, but that's just me. That's what I said Vernon .... a professional job back at a workshop, but don't we all at sometime or other just give them a quick spruce ...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 22:40
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
How about a concert tuning. You wait all afternoon while the famous pianist rehearses with the orchestra--on and on till 7.00 pm approaches.Thereupon, the evening staff pour in and arrange all the rattling chairs etc for the 7-30 performance. That's an art in it's own. I remember one famous penis( ...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 19:24
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
Gill, Gill, Gill ..... the best examples yet - Soooooo funny :D but sooooooooooooo true :( It's great to hear that others experience the same things in this business ... After 45 years I was thinking that perhaps I was being a little too grumpy ( with myself that is .....never towards the customer -...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 17:42
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Ooh err Gill - Nasty Just think of all that milk that has soaked into the woodwork underneath the key tops and gone off !! Still I suppose you could say your piano's keys have been semi-skimmed or all the music you play has been pastyoureyes.
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 14:19
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
Dr Owl .... as I have previously said ..... Great sense of humour .... good luck with the cork glue
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 14:14
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restore shine to ivory keys?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 68327
Re: Restore shine to ivory keys?
Putting the shine back on your keys whether ivory or not is not too difficult. As has alreay been suggested, you could get your tuner/technician to take your set of keys back to a workshop and have them professionally buffed. That would restore the shine, but not the mirror finsh. If they are worn a...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 13:24
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
Quite right guys .... caged birds are so piano tuner un-friendly ( perhaps it's just a Minor thing or we're too cheep ! :wink: ) - I'd forgotten that 'cause it's been such a long time since I've had to contend with one (thank goodness) :) Flower ladies and cleaners are another example, and all those...
- by Johnkie
- 04 Jun 2011, 02:00
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
Re: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
:lol: Hmmm. We can manage almost all of your requirements (perhaps not ABSOLUTE quiet -- isn't that the whole point of John Cage's silent piano piece?) ... the coffee's reasonable though I can't make good tea ... but you haven't mentioned "the Standard Middle-Class Piano". Our new piano is...
- by Johnkie
- 03 Jun 2011, 22:51
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 24872
What your Piano Tuner Needs - Please !!
So you need someone to tune your piano ... and perhaps have no idea what he/she expects you to do. Here is a guide to help you get the best possible tuning form your tuner. Absolute quiet No washing machines or hoovers No TVs or radios No children playing with their toys or showing you how they can ...
- by Johnkie
- 02 Jun 2011, 17:19
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Advice on possible piano purchase
- Replies: 8
- Views: 10320
Re: Advice on possible piano purchase
I am completely ignorant of when different actions were made, so thanks for your advice. They are asking 1,500 US dollars or best offer, they say it is in excellent condition (of course). The very best advice any of us can give, is for you to contact a good tuner/technician who is local to where yo...
- by Johnkie
- 30 May 2011, 21:07
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Squeaky Bechstein
- Replies: 8
- Views: 9320
Re: Squeaky Bechstein
I have a Bechstein model 9 upright. The damper lift rod is held back by a long metal strip spring which has a thin leather strip between it and the damper lift rod. I identified the squeek was coming from friction between the leather and the damper rod as the latter was raised. As the leather was n...
- by Johnkie
- 26 May 2011, 16:34
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
- Replies: 34
- Views: 34285
Re: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
jaboston .... Please let us all know the outcome .... did you manage to cancel the sale and get your money returned ?
- by Johnkie
- 26 May 2011, 00:49
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
- Replies: 34
- Views: 34285
Re: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
If it plays ok offer him about £40 as it isn't worth any more than that- it is beautiful though! He lied so tell him that- ebay will take him off as a trader! I certainly hope that he doesn't offer £40 pianolove :shock: ..... and perhaps "lying" was more a case of not knowing anything abo...
- by Johnkie
- 25 May 2011, 19:40
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
- Replies: 34
- Views: 34285
Re: Just bought a piano off of ebay (uh oh!)
The description given by the seller on Ebay was way off I'm afraid - It certainly is not either overstrung or underdamped. £230 for a piano of this age and design is nowhere near a bargain. If I were you, I would refuse it on the grounds that the description was misleading, and Ebay would have to en...
- by Johnkie
- 23 May 2011, 22:03
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Louis Renner Upright Piano
- Replies: 14
- Views: 17219
Re: Louis Renner Upright Piano
Might just possibly be, 'cause the keys don't have the action sitting on them Vernon !!vernon wrote:I would date it 1920s.
Keys need a bit of levelling!
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