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February Newsletter
Hi Everybody;
Well the big news last month was that Scott
Reeves has passed all the
tests and is now a fully accredited Registered Piano Technician.
Congratulations to Scott, who in future should be addressed as Mr. Scott
Reeves, RPT, sir. Congratulations to Dave Renaud for his efforts in
providing the impetus and the environment for Scott to succeed. Dave says
that 2 instruments are available for testing and dry runs for the RPT exam,
one at Studio Renaud and the other at Dick Papalia's Yamaha dealership on
Bank St. It was decicided to do a meeting in Kingston at Macadoo to give a
different flavour to the meeting and bring the Kingston/ NY crowd a chance
to attend more easily. Serge Desforges gave us a blow by blow description of
the California convention held in Sacramento and we were made aware of the
Brad Smith website which utilizes the web to book tunings by locality and
neighbourhood. Very efficient and cuts down on phone calls. A spirited
discussion of what was best for tuning pin replacement regarding pin sizes,
tuning pin bushings, the value of reaming, and more of the usual information
sharing took place.
Attending were Mark Larin, Dave Renaud, Owen Greyling,
Troy Scharf, Sid
Arnold, Serge Desforges, Scott Reeves, Tom Lloyd, Dale Anderson and Mark
Cerisano. I may have forgot someone.
Weather is picking up and we can hope for a lively ,
well attended
meeting March 16. at Dave's. Dinner as usual at 5.30 at Il Tuscano.
Questions call Tom Lloyd at 233-2643 or e mail above.
See you....
JANUARY NEWSLETTER
Hi
Everybody;
Well we got through January, and now the days are a
little longer and
the time before the warm weather arrives is shorter. Piano culture is alive
and prospering in Ottawa, and our Guild chapter in Ottawa is amoungst the
most advanced and organised in Canada. Dave Renaud continues his work
upgrading associates through testing. Serge Desforges headed to California
this past week to assimilate knowledge from the masters of the U.S. west
coast, Tremaine Parsons, Del Fandrich, Bill Spurlock, Steinway and Sons to
name a few.
The January meeting coincided with a semi snowstorm
which prevented our
outlying brothers from attending, and several locals. Dave was playing a gig
so the rest of diehards engaged in piano talk as opposed to piano work.
There will be none of that on Feb. 16, as Dave promises experiments in
voicing on the Heintzman grand. The long neglected Heintzman victim piano
will be further victimized, woops, regulated, and a good time will be had by
all. Do attend, as you may pick something up that impacts your knowledge
and/or bottom line. Guild meetings are eye openers, and the more technicians
that attend, the more eyes get opened.
Dinner at the Tuscano at 5.30 as always. Questions call me at
233-2643 or
reply above.
Tom Lloyd
November Newsletter
November saw our chapter gather at Quincys
pianos. 14 members were in attendance. John John presented the Spurlock
soundboard shimming procedures. This coming month we are going to have a
practical business roundtable regarding building and keeping a strong client
base, discuss various approaches and preferred business models. We have some
regulation to do on our Heintzman project. Also some chapter business to
discuss. Dec 15th Join us at Tusicanos ST Joseph Blvd at 5:30, and at 7:30 at Dave's shop
for tea, cookies and the usual frolicking.
Any Questions Contact Dave at drjazzca@yahoo.ca
or call (819) 776-3005
October Newsletter
The September meeting of the Ottawa PTG
went on the road to Winchester,
to the Heintzman dealer, Roy Fawcett Pianos and Organs. Roy entertained us
with his various inventions and innovations. He even had a winch and picked
up a 1000 lb organ and deposited it a couple of stories up. Also included
was his swedging machine for grands, various moving jigs, a video of how
they are doing it at the Heintzman factory in Beijing,...... and a lovely
buffet. Sorry, no pictures. Some of those pictures apparently broke the camera.
VP Troy Scharfe chaired the meeting and got us up to
date with industry
news, tech questions, and election of officers. There being no oppostition,
President Dave Renaud, Vice President Troy Scharfe, Treasurer Owen Greyling,
and Secretary Tom Lloyd were reinstated.
From Kingston came Owen Greyling and Ray Anderson,
from Cornwall Mark
Larin, from Kempville former member Preston Gilmer as well as his son,
technician Perry Gilmer. Career piano technician, now retired, Wayne Dunbar,
from Chesterville, attended as well as Kazmeni Samujlo from Manotick. Serge
Desforges from Rockland and Mark Cerisano from Montreal represented points
east, not to mention Ottawa technicians, Tom Lloyd, Dave Renaud, Troy
Scarfe, Andy from Yamaha (what is your last name Andy?), Dave Anderson, plus
others, not the least of whom was Roy's wife Shirley, who prepared the feast
and who also thoroughly enjoyed herself. 14 technicians is all.
The new Heintzmans , all in A440 were duly inspected by the members
present . They are nice. Our next meeting will feature some other nice
pianos as well, at Ottawa Pianos, where Andy and Dick Papalia will show us
the new Knabe, the new Samick, and the latest with Yamaha. That date
again......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7 pm, Ottawa Pianos, 1412 Bank St. Don't miss it.
September Newsletter
Well the cooler weather hit earlier than
expected this year and interest in pianos seems to have also got a head start.
Peak season is upon us already. The Ottawa PTG will be holding several meetings
hosted by our local dealers this fall. In terms of networking and understanding
it will be
an invaluable experience. The first fall meeting in September will have election
of officers.
SEPTEMBER MEETING. (Sept. 15, 6.30 pm SHARP, buffet
served then)
Will be held at the Roy Fawcett Heintzman dealership near
Winchester. Its about 30 miles out of town going directly on HWY 31 to the
Winchester lights. Instead of turning left into Winchester, turn right and
drive about 2 miles on HWY 43. On the left hand side there is large wooden horse
on the grass of Roy Fawcett's place. Any questions further, call 774-6422 and
you'll get Roy himself. He's 76 years old and has been selling pianos and organs
for over 50 years, and all over the place. Roy will be showing a video of the
Heintzman factory in China, where they make thousands of pianos monthly. This is
how its done today, and its done pretty well. Roy has all kinds of jigs and
devices to move pianos effortlessly and may be talked into
demonstrating them. There will be a buffet and a warm welcome from Roy.
OCTOBER MEETING (October 20, 2004)
Dick Papalia and Ottawa Pianos will show you what's new with the Yamaha
dealership. That includes Samick pianos. Head south on Bank Street past Billings
Bridge area to 1412 Bank St. It will be good to see Dick and Andy at a
meeting and get up to date with what's happening with this significant piece of
the piano puzzle. Pre meeting dinner plans TBA.
NOVEMBER MEETING (Date TBA)
Quincy Damphousse is an RPT who has been working non stop for 30 years as a
technician, and who is the Young Chang dealer. It is my understanding that a
fortepiano is now under Quincy's care and we'll get some knowledge of how this
historical instrument is maintained. John Hall, who founded the piano museum in
Calgary is expected to inform us more about these early
instruments. Take the Queensway to the 174 turnoff and continue to Orleans. Take
Jeanne D'Arc south and turn right on the first major turn off. That is Youville.
Keep going to 15-1439. Its in the little mall there. Pre meeting dinner plans
TBA.
DECEMBER MEETING (Date TBA)
Back to 121 Riel & Dave Renaud's shop for a pre Christmas meeting of
fellowship & good will.
July- August 2004
This July much discussion was to be had regarding policy and plans. We shall
try to arrange dealer meetings for a few months. More repair was done to the Heintzman.
Decisions were made regarding options for refinishing efforts. A sample piece
will be done before going further. Tutoring tuning sessions took place, and two technical
test was given in both July and August. Coagulations to Scott and Mark for both completing
all three technical tests. The tuning exam committee finalized adding me to the
CTE list during the annual convention. Dick has offered a C7 for Master tuning,
and there is also the Steinway A2 in my Studio to set up. I hope to offer tuning
test dates by early January.
June 2004
Last meeting we installed keybed felt punchings, roughed in a key level
and dip, set a blow distance, filed some key notching, cleaned up
the keys,
and squared and spaced some keys. Scott passed his upright
action model
test, and Mark passed his repair section, completing his
technical tests.
I have finished the CTE training, and at the Kansas city
convention the
exam board accepted the paperwork. So we can now plan on setting
up
a test piano with a master tuning, and finally be able to host
local tuning exams.
There are some new Quebec City convention pics up.
The next meeting of the Ottawa PTG will take place on
Wednesday July 14th
starting with pre meeting dinner at the Tuscano Restaurant (5.30pm) and
followed by the meeting at 121 Riel at 7 pm.
Cheers
Dave Renaud
May 2004 Newsletter
The Piano Technicians Guild meeting May
19 attracted 14 members and as usual an animated discussion occurred as the
meeting progressed. John Johns heroically took on installation of the dampers,
using thread as a guidepost between the first and last damper of each section.
He will continue on this
course at the next meeting, WEDNESDAY JUNE 16, 7 pm. It might be
noted here that the Zapper steamer ($59.00, Walmart), first introduced a
couple of meetings ago, is quite effective for removing old damper felt with a
minimum of effort. Ditto key bushings.
Attending were the usual suspects, Dale Davidson, Dave Renaud, Troy Scharf
Owen Hartley, Bill Gerow, Tom Lloyd, Mark Cerisano, Scott, Sid Arnold, Mark
Larin from Cornwall. John Johns, Serge Desforges , and Dave Anderson.
Refinisher/Tech extraordinaire Paul Fairweather made an appearance.
Dave informs that we will, apart from the dampers, begin regulation on the
complete instrument, and learn touch up tricks. Refinishing may now
proceed on the victim Heintzman, since the heat has returned, and the
piano will finalize its prep for finishing. Come over to the Tuscano for
dinner before the meeting at 5.30 pm. And come to the meeting. You may not
only learn something that saves you time and frustration, you will also
have an interesting evening any questions call Tom Lloyd 489-3632
April 2004 Newsletter
The Ottawa chapter of the PTG met March 17
at Dave Renaud's shop in Hull. Attending were Troy, Dave Renaud, Owen, Serge,
Ray from Kingston, John Johns, Dale, Sid, Tom, as well as prospective members
Kaz from Manotick and Andy from Yamaha.
We discussed the upcoming PTG convention in
Quebec City on the final weekend of April. It appears that ten or more
members will be attending. It was approved that the chapter would reimburse
any associate who has not yet attended a convention nor applied for the one
time sponsorship of $100 to offset costs incurred. It was also decided to
take the meeting on the road after the summer period; to the
Heintzman dealer (Fawcett), Yamaha dealer (Ottawa Pianos), Young Chang
dealer (Quincy), and Steinway dealer (Lauzon). This effort will go a
long way to break down the barriers of communication between dealers and
technicians and can only lead to better understanding. Various members
were delegated to set up times for these fall meetings. Tom Lloyd
passed the Grand regulating test. Serge showed a sample of a pinblock he created to the oohs and ahs of those present. Dave launched a
discussion on the value of training, mentoring and networking amongst
technicians. Work on the Heintzman upright continues. Damper
levers and wippens are installed.
The next meeting of the Ottawa PTG will take place on
Wednesday April 21 starting with pre meeting dinner at the Tuscano Restaurant (5.30pm) and
followed by the meeting at 121 Riel at 7 pm. We are discussing upright
regulation and begin same on our project Nearly half the chapter is
going to Quebec City......Are you? Lower prices for registering before
April 10...see your flyer or Call Dave.
Tom Lloyd
March 2004 Newsletter
The Ottawa Piano Technicians Guild meeting
took place Wednesday Feb 18th, at Dave Renaud's shop at 121 Riel St.
,Hull. Regarding business matters, it
was passed to request home office collect local dues on our behalf
commencing in 2005. This will simplify procedures and reduced the treasures
load. Application fees will also be processed in this manner. Home office
will collect the $30 application fee and send us the chapters portion directly.
Also, home office has requested that all chapters submit their bylaws. Two years
ago we voted on a set of bylaws. These will be posted on our website this month.
Members are encouraged to review them. It was also moved that we Officially
change our name to the Ottawa-Kingston Chapter of the PTG. Owen will investigate
this for next meeting. Tom Loyd showed a
new head lamp for illuminating difficult places, preserving what
remains of our eyesight. He also demonstrated a new key bushing iron, equipped
with various size cauls for easing keys. Attaching cauls to a soldering
iron with a variable resistor for heat control is an effective tool to ease
tight bushings. Don Cote demonstrated the use of his
hammer shank bending tool. We hooked it up to a variable speed dremel resistor
to adjust heat to the desired level and took turns burning in shanks
correcting side to side spacing. We had a talk
reviewing alignment issues in upright actions.
Congregations to Scott for passing the written test, and to Tom for passing the
upright action model technical test. Anyone wishing to try the tuning test,
there is one spot left on March 11th in Oshawa. There are also three slots for
tuning tests remaining at the Quebec City convention the end of
April. By next class we will
strive to finish the action assembly, except for the dampers. Next class is on
the installation and adjustment of dampers.
The
next meeting of the PTG is Wednesday , March 17th, 7.00 pm, at 121
Riel, Hull, Quebec, preceded by dinner at Tuscano's
across the
street from the Casa Greque at 5.30.. Plan on attending and
you will see a couple of new tools you could use all the time, on display. See
you then.
3 TOOLS THAT PAY FOR THEMSELVES QUICKLY
First of all let me say I have no financial stake in any
of these tools.
But they do make life easier for a piano technician so I am amplifying Dave
Renaud's newsletter notice.
#1) Wonderwand Tuning Lever
Originated with Charlie Huether, former President of the PTG. Now
being marketed by technician Wayne Saucier, 26 New York Ave., Wayne N.J. 07046.
Phone 973-628-8863. Price $92.00USD plus UPS .
Lighter than conventional tuning hammers. Moves from pin to pin
with more comfort and accuracy. Weight in tip helps seat the tip with less
adjustment. Round handle makes tuning less stressful. Eliminates arthritis pain
in knuckles, elbows and shoulders. Maximum leverage because you work from the
end of the shaft. I've used it since 1996. Works well.
#2) Key Easing Iron
From Pianotek,740 N. Rochester Rd,Clawson, Mi., 48017. Phone
248-588-9055. Price $69.00USD plus $15.45 freight, plus customs duties. 40
watt soldering iron, dimmer switch and 5 sizing broaches for all different
front rail and balance rail pins.
One second exposure with the key ironing broach will ease perfectly
any
key bushing. There is a significant reduction in friction after application
of the Key Easing Iron to the bushings. It is an exact fit and does not
crush the wood like key easing pliers.
#3) LED HEADLAMP
From Mountain Equipment Co-op, 366 Richmond Rd.,Ottawa. Phone 729-2700.
Price $27.00 CN plus 3 AAA batteries, plus membership in Co-op $5.00.
Used by biking and mountaineering enthusiasts for night excursions,
but
highly effective for piano technicians tightening action screws, pedal
works, etc. in poor lighting situations. As flashlights often throw light
into shadows, the headlamp gives you a third hand to shine the light in the
angle you wish while still using your 2 hands otherwise. Just move your head
to shine where you want.
February 2004 Newsletter
The Ottawa Piano Technicians Guild meeting took place Wednesday January 21, at
Dave Renaud's shop at 121 Riel St. ,Hull. Present were Owen, Troy, Scott, John
Johns, Serge from Rockland, Don Cote, Bill Gerow , Mr. Tuner (Mark C), Tom
Lloyd, Ray from Kingston, and host Dave Renaud.
Finances were discussed and chapter bills for next
year were handed out We elected Dave Renaud to represent the chapter at
the next annual convention business meetings. Expenses for the extra 2 days
covered for the representative as in every past year. Notching
keys on the victim Heintzman , as well as gluing felt on wippens was
undertaken. Final assembly is within reach. We will probably hold a series of
meetings at piano dealers' showrooms starting in the spring. As usual,
business networking and Technician secrets were shared amongst those
present.
The
next meeting of the PTG is Wednesday , Feb. 18th, 7.00 pm, at 121 Riel, Hull, Quebec, preceded by dinner at Tuscano's
across the
street from the Casa Greque at 5.30.. Plan on attending and
you will see a couple of new tools you could use all the time, on display. See
you then.
We are having a class on alignment. The
action must finally be assembled. The backcheck felt and, wippen cloth
started last meeting was finished later that week by our newest member Serge
Desforges, whom has just rejoined.
Any questions, call Tom at 489-3632, or Dave at
819-776-3006
January 2004 Newsletter
The next meeting of the PTG is Wednesday ,
Jan. 21st, 7.00 pm,
at 121 Riel, Hull, Quebec, preceded by dinner at the Casa Greque
at 5.30.
Our last meeting saw Keys finally filed and installed into
our piano.
Some shank burn in was attempted. Dale had installed all the new damper
flanges. Congragilations to Mark Cerisano on passing his upright action
model technical exam, and to Tom Loyd who passed the written test.
The written test will be available at the next meeting once again for
anyone wishing to begin the upgrading procedure before we are burdened
with the need of a Certified technical examiner tested by home office.
There may be an interim of a year when we will have to pause technical
exams soon. So, sign up for a session now. Tutoring is available
upon request. I would like to see everyone upgrade there classification.
We are here to help in any way we can.
Next meeting I will put together an agenda with the goal of
having
a complete working action assembled to regulate.
I have faxed home office a request for out Canadian dues
rebate.
20% of our annual dues comes back to us. This should provide the
Chapter with approx. $650 in income in March/April.
Dave Renaud
|
| Above meetings held at: 121 Riel,
Hull, Quebec......call: 776-3005 |
email: drjazzca@yahoo.ca