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whippen boy:
This past Christmas was the first year I'd had an artificial tree -- one where I could place all the European glass-blown flower & bird clip-on ornaments I had collected for years. I have found such pleasure in my flower-garden tree that I decided to NOT take it down! Yes, it is lit every evening and, with its 1600 lights, does indeed provide brilliant lighting for me!

If go to my webshots album here: My Bohemia piano
pick a "tree photo" then select "view full size" you'll understand why this tree was such a labor of love for me!

I am delighted when friends bring others to enjoy my tree!

-- Daria

Daria,
(way off subject! )
I LOVE your mailbox and best of all the roses. Gives me ideas for our own house.... you won't be mad if I copy? What type of roses are they?

--Stunned

Sorry for taking things a bit of topic with the 'singer's' piano comment. But, to continue that thought, I think many vocalist prefer a brighter piano, or 'bell like' treble for the blend it provides. Some would also argue that it is easier to pull a pitch from a brighter tone.

That is certainly a charateristic of the new Knabes, and I gather it was true of the original U.S. instruments as well. Some of the new models are using the original Baltimore scale design. These preferences are, I am sure, totally subjective.

Here is sample of one of my daughters singing Campra's 'Charmant Papillon' with the Knabe. I apologize that the recording is not that great, but the engineer was very inexperienced.

Charmant Papillon

Here is a picture of the IKEA lamp which I mentioned earlier setup with my new Omega.



Click here for larger version.

That looks like it has a lot more flexibility than our floor lamp did. By the way I really like your bench - I don't think I've ever seen one like it and it looks great with your Omega.

What are the black speaker-like boxes under the piano?

Thank you, ej, for providing the link to and now an actual photo of the IKEA lamp (next to your gorgeous piano!!).

According to the IKEA website the lamp "requires assembly".
Uh... just how much assembly is required?

-- Daria

The assembly is simple. Pole screws into base, lamp into socket, reflector is pushed on end and set with small screw and cord plugged into transformer. The only thing special is that it requires a fairly small phillips screwdriver to tighten the very small screw on the reflector assembly. Alltold, about 5 minutes. Make sure not touch the bulb with your bare hands, I used the little bag (per instructions) to push it into the socket.

I positioned the light as you can see slightly off center. This pretty much eliminated any glare from the music desk. All told I an very satisfied with this arrangement for reasons mentioned previously. Although I purchased this in the IKEA store, it is also available for shipping.

Thanks for your comment about my new piano. I have been remiss in not getting photos posted by now. I hope to start a separate thread shortly.

Doug,

Thanks for you comment. The bench is from Sauter and is called the UNICO. It is polished ebony with a suede seat. THere is also a burl walnut accent in the middle of the adjusting knob (on both sides). It is very substantial. It added to the overall cost but I think was worth it as I really don't like the traditional tufted look very much.

The black boxes under the piano are Wharfedale self powered speakers which I use with a Moog Pianobar occasionally as well as for playback of both my recordings and other performances while I am practicing.

The room is not quite finished yet but I will be posting more pictures shortly.

The piano was tuned yesterday (4 weeks since delivery) and it sounds better than ever. Quite an amazing instrument IMHO, name not withstanding

Watch out for that IKEA lamp - we use the exact same one as a reading lamp and the metal near the switch gets very hot. It's very easy to burn yourself. We plan on replacing it as soon as we get around to it...

The IKEA lamp I am using has a rubber covered switch and doesn't get very hot even after a couple of hours. I personally would rather have an OTT type lamp (daylight flourescent) but have been unable to find anything that reaches far enough. Good point, however.

The actual switch lever doesn't get hot, but the metal at the base of the switch does. I find that to get the switch to turn off with one hand I need to touch that metal section in order to generate enough force to toggle the switch, otherwise I just end up moving the whole lamp head.

I guess the answer is to use two hands...

WRT an Ott light maybe this would reach:

Ott Floor Lamp at Office Depot

or maybe this one on the music desk:

Ott Desk Lamp at Office Depot

Thanks, ej for your technical support with the IKEA lamp. Being easily distracted I clicked on your link and discovered your very informative site. Also, I’m impressed with your ancestry!

Now, after reading mikewu99 ‘s caution I’m wondering if I might seriously burn or set myself on fire!

I do realize that I am currently straining my eyes to adequately read my music ( I’d spent years working with very fine print being a younger version of “Noona” -- The Great Piano Tuner Conspiracy ) and will consider the relatively inexpensive option of the IKEA lamp.

Thanks again for your reply!

-- Daria

It's what I use and I love my HOuse of Troy mahogany finish that matches my piano.

Thanks, mikewu99 for the Ott Floor Lamp suggestion and link!

-- Daria

Hi ya, Teachum!!

I also have the House of Troy piano lamp (which in the crystal/polished brass). But I need even MORE illumination.

(As much as I hate to make the following statement PUBLIC it IS important to me...)

BUT, all the really bright and practical swing floor lamps don't match my room's decor !

-- Daria

I do have a small table lamp on a music/desk stand behind my piano that I turn on occasionally, but it's more for ambience than actual light need.

I have been looking to get a lamp exactly like EJSauter's. Will pop into the neighbourhood IKEA store and get one asap!

Btw..that's a gorgeous Omega (and the bench too). If only I had enough room for a 7 footer...

Hi
I just got the House of Troy floor lamp for piano in nickel and black and I'm really happy with it!. It makes a huge difference to have light right on the music and the long arm keeps the base out of the way (plus I don't have to take it on and off the piano each time I want to close it, I just swing it out of the way). The brushed nickel finish is very subtle and elegant. I'd recommend it!

Sophia

I just wanted to post that *my* IKEA floor lamp is, I think, discontinued...it does not use a fancy bulb, but a standard 60W. The newer ones seem to demnd halogen, or something more exotic...