felony tuning

[Benjamin Treuhaft]

UPDATE: SEND A PIANA TO HAVANA

Collected so far: 13 pianos, including a Mason Hamlin screwstringer,
a Steinway V upright, an Erard 1850 concert grand (with salvageable
original strings and hammers), a Chickering art upright, and some
very nice and not-so-nice no-name pianos, all in very rebuildable
condition.   When I have 23 they'll be sent off to Laredo, Texas to
cross into Mexico on their way to Cuba via freighter.

Tuners from all over are filling an entire room of my house with
wire, cheap hammer-sets, oversize tuning pin sets (many more
needed, rusty or not), books, and wierd tools.  Some have offered to
come along for the rebuilding in Cuba  (they risk 10 years in prison
and a fine of over $250,000 because tuning there is a felony under
U.S. law).

Donations of $10 to $1,000 are coming in from everywhere,
including a nice check from Peter Coyote.   Now that the U.S.
government unexpectedly gave permission to ship the pianos,
suddenly interest in the project is international, and t.v. crews from
San Francisco and London will be filming the Havana operation.

Anyone wanting to join the conspiracy should make out a check or a
butt felt inserter to HAVAPIANO.
     Benjamin Treuhaft
     2005 Stuart St.
     Berkeley, Calif. 94703      (510) 843-3823.