[pianotech] The much maligned Use of Lyre

[David Ilvedson]

All the movers say that...I think the Horse is the way to go, but that is an extra piece of equipment.

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: RWyatt8547 at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 2/24/2010 5:12:20 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] The much maligned Use of Lyre


>I did not use the lyre to turn a grand down for  years, until a friend of 
>mine told me about a mover that had been moving pianos  for 30 years said 
>that if  he broke one  he would come and fix  it. Since then I have turned 
>hundreds of pianos  on the lyre and  have not found a problem if you have the 
>board on a dolly or boxes. some of  these pianos we have serviced for over 20 
>years. so I am telling you that   old dogs can learn  better or easier 
>tricks.
> 
>                                                                            
>                    Rick  Wyatt
>                                                                            
>                    Dallas  Chapter
> 
>In a message dated 2/23/2010 9:02:16 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
>deanmay at pianorebuilders.com writes:

> 
>>>I for  one, never use the lyre as a fulcrum... Bad for the knees but 
>better for the  piano. 
>Do you have test  results to back up this claim or is it just intuitive 
>analysis? I've seen  factories use the lyre; I've seen keyboard Carriage use 
>the lyre; I, myself,  have used the lyre many, many times with no problems, 
>especially using the  brace below (tip of the hat to John Dewey).   
>A modern, well  constructed lyre and keybed are very strong components. The 
>brace below makes  the combination bullet-proof. Using a lyre is easier on 
>the back leg and  definitely easier on the mover. Personally I value my back 
>and knees more than  any piano that I move.  
>If you’re not  comfortable using the lyre that’s fine, I have no problem 
>with that. There are  indeed some rickety lyres that I am not comfortable 
>using. If you want to  state it is your personal preference to not use the 
>lyre, I’m good with that.  But to categorically state it is bad for the piano, 
>do you have some research  to back up that claim? Because many reputable 
>movers and factories do use the  lyre.  


>Dean 
>Dean W  May                 (812) 235-5272 
>PianoRebuilders.com     (888) DEAN-MAY 
>Terre Haute  IN  47802
> 
>  
>____________________________________
> 
>From:  pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On 
>Behalf Of Greg Newell
>Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:38  PM
>To:  pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject:  Re: [pianotech] The much maligned Piano  Mover
>Ed, 
>I agree completely. Being a technician certainly makes my efforts a little  
>different than other movers who are not. My point , however poorly made, 
>was  to get folks to think that not all movers cause damage. Some actually 
>care  about what they do. I for one, never use the lyre as a fulcrum. Even 
>before I  purchase the piano horse from Jansen I would ease the corner down to 
>the skid  by hand after first removing the lyre. Bad for the knees but better 
>for the  piano. 
>Greg  Newell 
>Greg's Piano  Forté 
>www.gregspianoforte.com 
>216-226-3791  (office) 
>216-470-8634  (mobile) 
>_http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd_ 
>(http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com/?a_aid=NNaYfMKd)  
> 
>From:  pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On 
>Behalf Of Ed Foote
>Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:04  PM
>To:  pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject:  Re: [pianotech] The much maligned Piano  Mover
> 
>Greg  writes, (inre  piano movers being cast in a bad  light):
> 
> Often, however, we are blamed for quite a few things
> 
> 

> 
> 
> 
>that can’t possibly be our fault. In the case of pedal lyres I believe that
> 
> 

> 
> 
> 
>if the lyre was made well enough with solid material (not “select”
> 
> 

> 
> 
> 
>hardwoods) and on the other side, not rocked down to the floor using the
> 
> 

> 
> 
> 
>lyre as a fulcrum, these problems would not exist.


> 
>Agreed.  Yet.... If I were asked  what were the most common problems caused 
>by movers, the lyre would be right  at the top of the list, (aside from the 
>occasional exploding grand diving off  the lift).  I have seen more "mover 
>damage" around the lyre than all the  rest combined.  Usually just the 
>leathers torn off, but I have seen pedal  rods sculpted into flower arrangements, 
>screws totally stripped, etc.   long list.  
>It is always ignorance on their  part.  As a technician that can rebuild 
>that lyre, you know how it is  installed.  Amazingly, many movers continue to 
>move and never  learn.  
>Regards, 
> 

> 
>Ed  Foote RPT
>http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
>