46th Annual Convention

and Technical Institute

Dallas,Texas

July 2-6, 2003

Late Breaking News

Early Bird Deadline Extended

Corrected Listing of Petrof Classes

Updated List of Exhibitors

July 4 Fireworks!

Rebuilding & Shop Classes

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Rebuilding & Shop Classes

(IA) Tools, Techniques and Technology for the Rebuilder
Shawn Hoar, Connecticut Chapter
Vacuum Clamping: veneering and glue joinery. Got Tendonitis? Notch your bridge with a power carver…power tool. Top fit your Steinway pinblock replacement with Shawn’s trace router. Precision fit your soundboard replacement with a router. Replace a bridge cap or set your down bearing with a router. Fitting the plate to the acoustical dowels: a unique measuring system that allows you to pre-cut measured dowels outside of the piano, then install a precision fit.

Early Bird Deadline Extended
Come one, come all. The early bird registration deadline (with its discounted registration fees!) for the 2003 Convention and Technical Institute has been extended to June 16th. Click here for a registration form.

Petrof Classes

The following class listings are incorrect in the convention brochure. Apologies to Geneva International, Petrof, and Dr. Alois Raffaj.

(E) Voicing in Theory and Practice

Dr. Alois Raffaj, Petrof, spol. s r.o.
Joe Swenson, Geneva International Corporation

Ing. Alois Raffaj and Joe Swenson combine to discuss, and demonstrate, the physical and musical effects of commonly used voicing procedures.

Ing. Raffaj, Ph.D., head of research at Petrof, discusses his research into the physical response of both piano hammers and strings when the two meet to form piano tone. Objective measurements of hammer felt stiffness and resiliency including visual images of the felt’s
compression upon impact will be used as a means of comparing some important physical characteristics of hammer felt (and it’s effect on the string) before, and after voicing.

To go along with this discussion, Joe Swenson, Technical Services Manager at Geneva International, will demonstrate pragmatic, easily understood techniques for establishing a piano’s unique "voice", and for achieving stable, consistent tone regulation.

This class, in combination with Norbert Abel’s "From Sheep to Hammers", offers a unique opportunity to develop an awareness of the physical changes in the hammer and the related musical transformations that take place as you regulate the tone of a piano.

(E) Piano Strings, Their Acoustics, Design and Manufacture

Dr. Alois Raffaj, Petrof, spol. s r.o.

Follow the piano string’s vibration from the point of hammer contact to the soundboard. Dr. Raffaj, head of research at Petrof, discusses many aspects of the effects of strings on the quality of piano tone. The material, though advanced, is presented in such a way as to be both understandable and useful for the practicing piano technician. Beginning with the effects of hammer qualities on piano tone, subjects include: the relationship of string stiffness and inharmonicity, transfer of energy from string to soundboard, and the effects of duplex scaling on the decay of tone. Also discussed are obstacles encountered by the string manufacturer and scale designer: a summary of material requirements for the strings themselves (including string windings), the relationship between tension and volume, and a fascinating demonstration of the effects of longitudinal mode frequency and tuning on tone quality.

List of Exhibitors

Allied Piano
American Sejung Corporation
Arledge Bass Strings
Ashcraft Pianos
Carl Sauter Pianofortemanufaktur, Spaichingen, Germnay
Coleman 's Tools and Supplies
Dammp-Chaser Corporation
Dryburgh Adhesives
Ed's Piano Shop/Benches USA
Fandrich and Sons Piano
Geneva International Corporation
German Piano Imports/Reeder Pianos Restoration Center
Heller Bass Strings
International Brokers/Fazioli Pianos
Inventronics
Kawai America
Laul Estonia Piano Factory
Modern Piano Moving
Moisture King
MotherGoose Tools
Music Sorb
North Bennet Street School
Pearl River Piano Group America Ltd.
Phoenix Import-Export
Piano Tech Templates
Piano Disc - Mason & Hamlin
Pianotek Supply Company
Potter, Leonard/Olympic Insurance
PTG Auxiliary
PTG Store and Membership
PTG Foundation
QRS/Story &
Randy Potter School of Piano Technology
Reyburn CyberTuner
Samick Music Corp.
Schimmel Piano
Spurlock Specialty
Steinway & Sons
Boston Piano
Essex Piano
The Piano Book
Veritune, Inc.
Victory Enterprises Japan
Vintage Case Parts
Walter Piano Co., Inc.
Yamaha Corporation of America
Young Chang

Fourth of July Fireworks in Dallas

After the Golden Hammer Banquet and the Kawai Concert and Reception, celebrate the Fourth of July with your friends in PTG - and with the entire city of Dallas! Here is a link to more information:

Trinity Fest 2003