Ricca, or Ricca & Son was established in 1891 by H.F. Ricca and E.I. Ricca, at 604 East 132 St. and 884 East 134th St., New York. By the mid 20’s the offices and factory was located at 97-99 Southern Blvd., New York. They bought the Ludwig PIano Company around 1933.
Category Archives: Upright Pianos
Clavinova features are an excellent choice for many musicians
July 25, 2011 – 6:03 am
The latest Clavinova digital pianos from Yamaha are able to reproduce the feeling of playing a grand piano better than ever before. Here are some of the many features offered on these fabulous instruments:
88 full sized keys – some are even made of real wood
3 completely functional pedals
Full size cabinet with key covers and large [...]
Used pianos and tuning stability
July 11, 2011 – 6:06 am
One of the first things to consider about any used piano is tuning stability. Ask these questions; Can the piano be tuned? Will the piano hold its tune?
One major factor in the answer is the Pinblock.
• A pinblock is the part of the piano that holds the tuning pins. It must:
1. Exert pressure on the [...]
Polyester piano finishes
June 28, 2011 – 6:05 am
Polyester is the most recent material to be used on pianos. It is a product of modern chemical technology that provides the highest degree of beauty and protection available. Polyester is a very stable product and weather changes have no effect on its size. Therefore, applying a stable finish to a constantly changing surface invites [...]
PIano Emporium, now on Thumbtack
January 28, 2011 – 5:46 am
We now have a piano tuning in Asheville service listing on Thumbtack. I’m always looking for ways to help market my piano moving, repair and tuning services. Thumbtack is a good way for me to help me show off my expertise in providing professional, very affordable piano moving, repair and tuning services. [...]
Voicing – Tone Regulating
December 8, 2010 – 5:00 pm
Voicing is an altering of the tone quality within each note throughout the piano by adjusting the tension of the hammer felt. This is achieved by using needles to make the felt more pliable or tense depending on the desired result. Other means of changing the tonal response of a hammer include adding chemicals to [...]
How to give a preliminary check when shopping for a used piano
August 20, 2010 – 6:09 pm
1. Try all the pedals. Listen for squeaks and noises.
2. Play all notes throughout the keyboard. Make sure they sound and return correctly.
3. Look inside the piano. Look for worn or broken parts. Ask questions about the history of the piano and whether or not is has been maintained regularly.
4. Have the owner/salesman play the [...]
The piano soundboard
August 10, 2010 – 8:48 am
Piano soundboards are thin boards commonly made of spruce approximately 3/8″ thick glued together and extend from the bottom of the piano on a vertical, and tail of the piano on a grand, to the pin-block and then across the full width of the piano. The soundboard has a crown which is very important to [...]
Player pianos
July 20, 2010 – 8:22 am
A player piano is a regular upright or grand that plays itself but can also be played normally by any individual. On uprights, the case is usually larger to accommodate the player mechanism. Older player pianos are controlled by pneumatics and newer player pianos are controlled by electronics.
A reproducing piano has an additional element [...]
Piano size
July 19, 2010 – 6:57 pm
Piano size greatly influences the musical tone and potential of the piano. The larger area for soundboard and string length the better. Lengths, for grands, and heights, for uprights, in general are:
Concert grand 8′-9′
Medium grand 6′-8′
Small grand 4.5′ – 6′
Full size upright 49″ or more
Studio 45″ – 48″
Console 41″ – 44″
Spinet 36″ – 40″
Grand [...]