Shafer & Sons

[Roger Jolly]

Hi Barry,
         Thanks for the input, makes a lot of sense. Some mfgs are starting
to use the laminate materials on cross banded lumber, so say to reduce
plank show thro' at the glue seams, time will only tell. I have  turned 180
degrees in my thinking on grand lids re solid core lumber, verses
composites. When high gloss finishes are used, I definely feel they look a
lot better over the long haul when good quality composites are used, and
sound engineering practices are employed.(consideration has to given to the
increase in weight and hinge size to distribute the loading.) At times we
get hung up in tradition, but the reality in our industy is that some
judicial use of composites will in fact result in improvements.
  Like seasoned lumber, composite materials come in a wide variety of
qualities and textures. I am currently working on a new composite key bed
design using HDF and capped in 1/16" maple. Preliminary indications seem to
show greater key frame to bed stability, and less noise transmission.
Whether it will be accepted on higher priced units is another story,
regardless of improvements, there will be a sales bias to solid core lumber
or selected hardwood laminates.
  May be I should don my flame suit now for speaking such heresy. 
Regards Roger

At 12:51 PM 5/16/98 +0100, you wrote:
>Hi Roger,
>
>Yahama vener a laer of formica to there MDF as a waterprof barrier this
>is because MDF is so poreous, that the polyester sinks too much and is
>not a good surrface, where as the fomica is a good barrier between the
>veneer and the MDF.  Yamaha reckon they use a lot less polyester and you
>don't get that crazy paving effect on the finish as you do with a  super
>poreous material underneath like MDF.
>
>
>Barrie.
>
>
>In article <3.0.5.16.19980514185701.2ae78f6c@mailhost.sk.sympatico.ca>,
>Roger Jolly <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca> writes
>>Hi Del,
>>       The Chickering 507 is MDF board on the lids. All Japanese products
>>are MDF as far as I know, it gives better stability to the polyester
>>finishes, an engineering compatibility choice, with the very gloss on the
>>majority of their instruments, it prevents planking show through, which is
>>inevitable at some point with cross band construction.
>>Regards Roger
>>Roger Jolly
>>Balwin Yamaha Piano Centres.
>>Saskatoon/Regina.
>>Canada.
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
>
>Barrie Heaton                                  |  Be Environmentally Friendly
>URL: http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/piano.htm  |  To Your Neighbour
>The UK PIano Page                              |  
>pgp  key on request                            |  HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED
>
>
Roger Jolly
Balwin Yamaha Piano Centres.
Saskatoon/Regina.
Canada.