9 April 2016

Wichita Chapter PTG officers

President Joe Wisner
Vice President Gary Telleen
Secretary David Norman
Treasurer Marty Hess
Newsletter Editor Roy Howard (with assistance from Kent Willis)

Next Meeting Thursday, April 14, at 7pm

For previous chapter newsletters see INDEX

The April 14th meeting will be held at Joe Wisner's home

Our next meeting will be at the Wisner home: 2515 N Battin, Wichita April 14, 2016 at 7pm.

We have a few things to discuss, so I hope you will make every effort to be there.

Some items:

•technicians tools for sale
•chapter officer nominations
•delegates to the national convention
•volunteers for technical presentations
•locations for future meetings...

Kathy has (as of this moment) pies planned for treats!

Thanks for your involvement in our organization.

Joe Wisner

Video: Tuning When Noisy

Video: Highlights of Marty Hess's tool kit that he takes into a service call.

Video: Joe Wisner shares Tool Case Tips.

Video: Highlights of a discussion about tool ideas to tie the hitch pin loop.

Video: Tool ideas to reset the hammer return spring.

Video: Adjusting key up-weight and down-weight.

Video: A simple tension rod serves to measure the length for a missing pedal lyre support rod.

Video: A simple dowel attached with elastic holds the drop stickers in place for action removal.

Please submit articles and tips for the newsletter and the meetings.

The kids in Uganda have been evicted as there are too many for their current facility. Please tell your friends to help with a donation. Happy Angels Youth Brass Band learn to repair so that individuals can become luthiers.

Conference 2016 in Ecuador is scheduled for four weeks in June, covering topics for techs and musicians of strings, woodwinds, brass, and pianos with all sessions taking place at the new Universidad de las Artes.

Don't miss the April technical.

More ideas

Before & After VS Profelt

Since we introduced our VS-PROFELT many years ago, it has become the "go-to" product for worn or tight key bushing centers throughout the piano repair industry.

VS-PROFELT was originally designed as a sizing solution for key bushings and damper guide rail bushings. For keys, it works by applying a few drops to the bushing cloth, inserting the desired caul size, and letting it dry overnight. The solution causes the cloth fibers to swell and expand, sizing it to the caul. An "ironing" effect takes place which requires no further easing of the bushing. This application is perfect for old as well as new key bushings. Success with old bushings will be dependent on how worn they are. Many pianos, of course, will still need to be rebushed. Sizing the damper guide rail bushing will be the same process using bridge pins as cauls.

One application that has gained in popularity is for difficult to seat mono, bi, or trichord damper felt. In this case, the string acts as the caul. Putting a piece of cling wrap or wax paper between the felt and the string keeps the moisture off the string. The same method can be used for the treble dampers. You will need to add some weight to the damper heads and our SST-107B Damper Head Bean Bag (normally used in conjunction with our Spurlock Damper Jig) is the perfect way to achieve this.

Piano Factory Virtual Tours (Hailun and Petrof)

The brand new Sundrop Sonata, Ann Fell's novel of suspense featuring pianos and a piano tuner in rural Kansas, is now available on Amazon, as a digital or a print book. Click on the banner for more information. Ann will be making appearances at these upcoming events:
April 15 Hammered Dulcimer demonstration for Arkansas City Music Club, First UMC, Arkansas City, Ks. 1:30 pm
April 15 "Sundrop Sonata" Book Launch Reception; Gallery 1001, Winfield, Ks. 5:00 - 7:00 pm
May 6 "Legacy of Words" program for Winfield PEO. 1:00 pm; Simmons-Bossi home, Mound Street, Winfield, Ks
June 11 "Fiction Techniques for Writing Memoirs" KAC D5 meeting, Larksfield Place, 7373 E. 29th St. No., Wichita, Ks

www.PTGNEECSO.org
April 14 - April 17, 2016
Piano Technicians Guild, New England Eastern Canada Seminar Organization
Piano Technicians Guild, Nashua 2016 NEECSO

Online Registration Now Open!
Exceptional All-Day Seminars
Special Guest and Premier Instructors
Food and Beverage Every Day
Breakfast Buffet • Breaks • Lunch Buffet
Fine Food and Entertainment Evenings
National Exhibitors and Vendors
4,000 Sq. Ft. • Over 30 Booths

37 Steps Class in Kansas City
There are only a few slots available in the April 28 - 30, 2016 Grand Action Regulation in 37 Steps class. Held at the PTG Home Office in Kansas City, it includes three days of intensive hands-on learning. Click to register online or call 913-432-9975 to register by phone.

PTG National

Please take a look at two NEW events at the convention in Norfolk this summer. Note the special registration for business managers.

On the morning of Sunday, July 24, there is a special opportunity to tour the Colonial Williamsburg museum in the morning that includes a guided tour of the Changing Keys exhibit. The exhibit includes pianos, harpsichords and other keyboards manufactured from around 1770 to 1840. John Watson, Conservator of Early Keyboard Instruments, will be our tour guide. The cost would include entrance to the museum, a guided tour and round trip transportation from the Norfolk Waterside Marriot. Space is limited. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me, Douglas Laing by May 20 at douglas@magnumopuspianoworks.com> or 727-539-9602.

More Reasons to Attend the 2016 PTG Convention!
Keynote Speaker Barry Moltz
Attend Barry's "Getting Your Small Business Unstuck" presentation on Thursday, July 21 at 8 a.m during our General Session. Business growth requires different actions as the market changes. Barry identifies six ways that businesses get stuck, causing their growth to slow, and how your business can start to flourish again. On that same day, he will also offer three additional classes: "You Need to Be a Little Crazy: The Truth About Starting and Growing Your Own Business," "How to Outsource to Build Your Business" and "Escape the Double Helix: Trap and Boost Your Sales." Learn more about this nationally recognized author, entrepreneur and speaker at barrymoltz.com.

Special Registration for Business Managers
If your business manager would like to attend Barry Moltz's classes as well as all the other Institute business classes, take advantage of a new registration option this year. You can participate in the classes that effect the job of a business manager for only $59 (with a full registration.) Please call 913-432-9975 or visit convention.ptg.org for registration information.

The 2016 SCRC Piano Technicians Guild Conference will be held in historic Granbury, Texas!
The Hilton Garden Inn and Resort Conference Center will host our great conference.
Registration for PTG members is $325; Visiting technicians are $375. Includes 6 meals and banquet. Register now!
October 13-15, 2016; 10:00 a.m. Thursday - 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Get your "hands-on" these classes! Topics include: Social Media, Soundboard Repair, Finish Repair, Grand Teardown, and more.
Seasoned instructors include LaRoy Edwards, Fred Sturm, Tim Barnes, Norm Cantrell and more - See who is teaching!
$109/single or double room with lake or city view; book your room at the Hilton Garden Inn at Granbury or by calling 844-204-5598; mention PTG for your special rate.
Classes repeated for your convenience!
All RPT Exams being offered.
Complimentary rides from DFW Airport.
Located on Lake Granbury with a nearby charming Town Square, Opera House, antique shops, restaurants and more; only 38 miles SW of Fort Worth, off Highway 377.
Early Bird registration ends September 20 - Save $50
Contact:
Ricki Klos, RPT, SCRC President, 512-773-7133,
Joshua Ello, RPT, Seminar Director, 832-270-7732, joshua@ellopianoservice.com

Piano Jobs
Click here to go directly to the new Piano Jobs community.

Online Classifieds at www.ptg.org

Piano Technicians Journal Media on YouTube

For PTG member resources go to www.my.ptg.org

The Journal Chapter Technical. Please share the interesting and meaningful technical programs you have conducted that can be reproduced by other chapters.
Send your articles and pictures to:
John Parham
john440@me.com
828-244-2487

Square Grand. Owner in Plevna, KS is asking $5000. It is tuneable but needs 20 custom keys made to finish the restoration. (Stephen Francis)

Kimball (1912) 5/8" for sale $3,000. All funds support Conference 2016 in Ecuador (Roy Howard)

Ethics

Operating with the Truth
When you state the truth, you succeed.
For example, if you exaggerate a customer’s problem to increase your income, you run into problems. The customer can sense the lie, no matter how sincere you act. If you are caught, the penalties are painful.
If you understate the customer’s problem or your fees, you are selling out what you know to be true. You prevent your customer from making the proper decisions. You feel like a wimp.
You must look the customer in the eye, without hesitation, and deal with the truth. The customer can then act accordingly. You did your job even if the person doesn’t like the truth.
When you have the courage to call the truth the truth you become a more powerful force. It is easy to hold a position on an honest fact.
For example, your software adds numbers incorrectly. You call the software technician who looks it over. He says, "the problem is the user; the software is fine." You pull out a calculator and prove the computer’s answer is wrong.
Because you know the truth, you refuse to agree with the technician. No matter how smart the expert is, or how inexperienced the user is, you KNOW the figures do not add up. You have personal integrity.
The same idea applies to your family, spouse and friends. You agree or disagree based on what you know to be true, not on what they want you to believe.

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