Welcome to a whirlwind round of musical chairs, with a good, healthy workout thrown in.
I never expected the Valencia, Spain import to challenge my athletic prowess. But for certain, I’d been primed for this bench press Olympiad having done my daily Gravitron, along with pull-ups and push-ups at the Downtown Berkeley Y. My daily training should have amply prepped me for the Hidrau descent with side bar assists that amazingly resisted every one of my ergonomic push-downs. Compared to assembler, Arrion Brown who weighed in at a muscular 210 lbs, to my measly 112, I was a puny push-over! Call it a 100 lb. difference! That’s how Ari had the necessary clout to get Hidrau to cooperate on the downslide. I might add that this male powerhouse happens to be a Jiu Jitsu champ which puts him in the winner’s circle when it comes to ENDURANCE.
I’ll let my homegrown video speak for itself.
Once I finish my next two nocturnal piano lessons, I’ll add Arrion’s nifty Hidrau assembly according to specs. Note that he’d successfully put the last Chinese Stagg Hydraulic together, though it squeaked its heart out, while Hidrau is a silent, squeak-less success, locked right now into one perfect height at my Steinway grand. If I need to lower it, I’ll scream for help and either 911 will send out a team of paramedics, or my neighbor, Art will heed my cries and get the darn bench back in balance.
Judge for yourself:
The Assembly
And now compare to the STAGG hydraulic that’s been retired as a computer accessory doing its job well with attendant noise that’s not a problem but would be a menace if stationed at my grand during a recording session!
https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/the-saga-of-my-stagg-hydraulic-piano-bench-videos/
UPDATE:
Video of REPLACEMENT Hidrau shipped to me, with a distributor message at its conclusion:
I should inform you that the pistons on this bench were miss-weighed to be more correct, as confirmed by the seller.. and I was ultimately offered a set of new pistons. The German importer was at fault and those players weighing about 100-110 pounds or less, had to have a companion sit next to them to lower the bench. Other teachers have complained about the same so maybe it’s not me who looks foolish..in retrospect. I hope this clarifies.. and updates.
Hello Shirley,
It took longer than expected, but HM was finally able to get correct gas cylinders from Stabilus. The lift mechanisms now operate fully at 99 lbs.
We ordered a handful of extra mechanisms at significant cost for customers that raised the issue. I would like to offer you this new mechanism in exchange for yours.
If you would like the exchange, we will send you the new mechanism along with a return label. There is no cost to you. Please re-pack the old mechanism in the packing material; we will store these stronger mechanisms as spares.
Best regards,
Sam Bennett
I’m not the one who looks foolish… no emphases needed but I could not resist.
The bench clearly goes down perfectly when the woman sits backs on the bench. I can’t believe she is making such a big deal out of not being able to think through how to manipulate the bench. She looks foolish.
From the seller…
Hello Shirley,
It took longer than expected, but HM was finally able to get correct gas cylinders from Stabilus. The lift mechanisms now operate fully at 99 lbs.
We ordered a handful of extra mechanisms at significant cost for customers that raised the issue. I would like to offer you this new mechanism in exchange for yours.
If you would like the exchange, we will send you the new mechanism along with a return label. There is no cost to you. Please re-pack the old mechanism in the packing material; we will store these stronger mechanisms as spares.
Best regards,
Sam Bennett
Now who looks foolish!