Bernt Damm asks about a lampshade for a Duo-Art upright.  I am sure that
there are some of these in collector's parts boxes all over the place
but they should be available elsewhere as well.

The lamps were made of standard lamp parts of the day and this is one
of the least changing of industries.  I have lamp parts catalogs that
had not changed in 50 years although recently everything of interest
has been discontinued or made of plated pot metal or plastic so they
are not a source any more.  But for many years these shades were
standard for fixtures for artwork, etc., and they should show up in
antique and junk stores still.

There were several different means of attaching them to the socket and
it might be necessary to replace the socket shell or the whole socket
as well.  The most common are the clamp-on type with the clamp somewhat
like an automotive-type split hose clamp, and the threaded type which
I believe is called an 'uno' thread.  Each one needs its matching
socket.  There were also other less common types but they were
generally made to fit either the beaded socket shell or the uno thread
or both.

The new sockets are crap, made of cheap bright yellow brass and having
crummy socket bodies, etc.  The old ones are sturdy reddish brass and
usually have porcelain sockets with switches that should last forever.
Unfortunately the cardboard insulator is usually fried to a crisp
from oversized bulbs.  The smaller-bodied sockets will take the new
cardboard insulators that can be stolen from a new socket.  Otherwise
you will have to experiment with suitable insulators or risk a short.

It is a good idea to put a polarized plug on the piano and make sure
that the socket shell is on the neutral side of the line as the code
now requires.  This is actually something that should be done to all
portable lamps.  You want to make sure that the hot line is actually
switched by the switch and that the socket outer connection is neutral
in case of a short or contact with a grounded person.  Then you need to
make sure that your house receptacles are properly polarized too.

Spencer Chase

http://nt.mcn.org/spencer/