![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Search found 77 matches
- by pianotechman
- 21 Aug 2021, 16:49
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hopkinson serial number
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7518
Re: Hopkinson serial number
Tried that Bill, yes Brooks often put a key manufacturing date under the end keys which gives you a good idea. [That's if it's not in red and faded!] but this one had nothing other than the serial number. ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
- by pianotechman
- 21 Aug 2021, 16:45
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hopkinson serial number
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7518
Re: Hopkinson serial number
Tried that Bill, yes Brooks often put a key manufacturing date under the end keys which gives you a good idea. [That's if it's not in red and faded!] but this one had nothing other than the serial number. ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 15:07
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Pin block for pleyel grand
- Replies: 6
- Views: 12759
Re: Pin block for pleyel grand
As I see it you have but two choices, either drill down vertically above the plank ends on both Bass and Treble cheeks, chisel out then replace with a panel, [Bluthner grands have a screw on section above the plank fixing bolts] OR after the frame is removed, cut the ends flush with the cheeks, and ...
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 14:44
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Piano for a School
- Replies: 3
- Views: 9588
Re: Piano for a School
And best not forget the outrigged wheels if it's going into a school eh?
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 14:21
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Welmar 116 versus Feurich 115
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3937
Re: Welmar 116 versus Feurich 115
Spot on Barrie, Roger Wilson[the CEO] at the time was all for it, and it was a disaster, leading to the total collapse of the company in about 2002. Fortunately I'd long gone by the end.
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 14:13
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: String maker advice
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4025
Re: String maker advice
I presume they're going to put on a new bridge capping rather than trying to glue up the split in the old one btw? ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 14:07
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: String maker advice
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4025
Re: String maker advice
I've not had one 'duff' string from Parkes as yet. I gave up using another string maker as there started to be too many 'mistakes'. Obviously I'm not going to put who on here, suffice as to say it wasn't Barney.
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 14:01
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Reverse colour keyboard
- Replies: 6
- Views: 14168
Re: Reverse colour keyboard
I tuned an intriguing upright upright once, Royal blue case, Red sharpes/ white keys. I was informed it was a limited edition piano, [Alison I think] that had been made at the time of the coronation of George V !
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 13:18
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Tuning pins stiff but slipping
- Replies: 15
- Views: 25552
Re: Tuning pins stiff but slipping
I feel these posts have all been very informative, so I would also like to put in my own 'two penneth worth'. Steinway usually started their initial stringing on a 3/0 diameter tuning pin. If you had it re-built in 97, they would then have to have used a 4/oversize pin, if they jumped up a couple mo...
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 12:52
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Are Bluthner strings really known to be problematic?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 12572
Re: Are Bluthner strings really known to be problematic?
You say it's a concert grand, are the strings the first couple of tri-chord notes on the Bass bridge by any chance?
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 12:40
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Goetze upright piano
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3011
Re: Goetze upright piano
I did a rebuild on a C.Goetze grand a few years ago including the fitting of a new laminated plank. Of special interest because the client had said it had once belonged to a music hall star who's biggest hits were 'Waiting at the church' and 'Daddy Wouldn't buy me a Bow Wow'...It was of course Vesta...
- by pianotechman
- 31 Jul 2021, 12:23
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Hopkinson serial number
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7518
Sydney Zender age
Hello folks and fellow technicians, the forum seems to have let me in after struggling to get on with my login for a year or two! Hurray. Today I tuned a Zender with the serial number 64326 [stamped on the soundboard behind the bottom door panel] I estimated the manufacture at about 1973, so anyone ...
- by pianotechman
- 16 Apr 2014, 08:53
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Dummies guide to Bechstein
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7772
Re: Dummies guide to Bechstein
Yeah, check the frame webs for vertical fractures near the tuning pins as Barrie says, you get a good one and they're a great model.
- by pianotechman
- 16 Apr 2014, 08:45
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: New piano, New issues.
- Replies: 7
- Views: 14303
Re: New piano, New issues.
Too true Barrie, I had to do an entire regulation on one sold from a 'prestigious' shop in Knightsbridge some years ago. In years gone by,[ before my time] they would have had their own Technician come out to the customer to sort it out, or more to the point, it would not have left the shop in that ...
- by pianotechman
- 16 Apr 2014, 08:36
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: I applied wd-40 to the piano
- Replies: 9
- Views: 16208
Re: I applied wd-40 to the piano
I am hearing "fit a new tuning plank here " but if you wanted to save the expense of paying for a tuner, I don't expect you will want to have this job done. Only real way to rectify the problem. sorry ![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
- by pianotechman
- 20 Dec 2013, 17:47
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Piano Rebuilding
- Replies: 5
- Views: 10055
Re: Piano Rebuilding
Onto soundboards, if the board still has plenty of crown/spring in it after you have de-strung the piano, why not repair any splits with similarly well seasoned spruce strips? There is a school of thought that think sound travels along the grain better as the timber ages. You tell somone who has a V...
- by pianotechman
- 20 Dec 2013, 17:38
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Piano Rebuilding
- Replies: 5
- Views: 10055
Re: Piano Rebuilding
I favour fitting a new laminated plank when re-stringing even if it seems ok. If that instrument goes into a modern warm environment, and the plank splits, your going to have to do the whole job again, assuming the client has any confidence left in you! Some old Bechstein upright models nearly alway...
- by pianotechman
- 10 Dec 2013, 09:27
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: How to dampen the sound on my upright piano?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 22018
Re: How to dampen the sound on my upright piano?
Buy some extra felt at the same time, as the strings will cut through the original felt after a while, and you don't want to have to purchase a whole new celeste kit again do you?
- by pianotechman
- 10 Dec 2013, 09:12
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Does cleaning strings always improve tone?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 28895
Re: Does cleaning strings always improve tone?
Clean outs DO improve the resonance of strings, on a similar note,[pardon the pun] that's why percussionists polish cymbals! Never use any liquid cleaning agent/metal polish on your Bass strings, unless you want an expensive to replace set of 'Dead' strings!
- by pianotechman
- 28 Nov 2013, 18:06
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Hammer let-off & stroke Bechstein IV (& regulation thereof)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 14472
Re: Hammer let-off & stroke Bechstein IV (& regulation there
Just as a thought,[ as every tech guy on here has probably already suggested 45mm hammer blow with a 10mm touch depth] what is the condition of your key bushings on the key balance? A badly worn felt bushing even on one side, can be responsible for a loss of accurate key travel even though you think...
- by pianotechman
- 28 Nov 2013, 17:36
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: A real problem for the pro's!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14017
Re: A real problem for the pro's!
Barrie the job is done! I reset the capstans to the geometry of your diagram, then had to remove most of the front leading,[ which was no easy task as they had been 'blind' leaded],so I had to drill a hole on the opposite side of the key then knock them out with a drift. Reset the touch weight to 56...
- by pianotechman
- 30 Oct 2013, 09:42
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: A real problem for the pro's!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14017
Re: A real problem for the pro's!
Thanks for your advice Barrie,I'll certainly implement it! you know you can have done this job for over 37 years and still find new things when you go trouble shooting! How might I contact Mr Fry if I need to, is he also on the forum?
- by pianotechman
- 29 Oct 2013, 09:03
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: A real problem for the pro's!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14017
Re: A real problem for the pro's!
Barrie, looking at your diagram, do we know what dimension 'A' is for the model 'K'? that would put the action in the right place, provided the Renner wippen heels are in the same place as the Steinway originals
I've saved your diagram for refference, hope you don't mind!
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I've saved your diagram for refference, hope you don't mind!
- by pianotechman
- 29 Oct 2013, 08:51
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: A real problem for the pro's!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14017
Re: A real problem for the pro's!
Colin, that's helpfull in terms of the blow and touch depth, but as I say, the wippen centres are all fine. Barrie, your diagram is a great help. It looked like they had bent the capstan shafts towards the wippen flange as they were not at 90 deg to the key top. When i bent them forward, obviously t...
- by pianotechman
- 28 Oct 2013, 20:32
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What are legal rights faulty floating soundboard
- Replies: 6
- Views: 21299
Re: What are legal rights faulty floating soundboard
Where is the board adrift as a matter of interest?
Some years ago, Rippen produced some uprights with a board that was not anchored at the bottom edge [intentionally just for the record!]
Some years ago, Rippen produced some uprights with a board that was not anchored at the bottom edge [intentionally just for the record!]
- by pianotechman
- 28 Oct 2013, 20:08
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: How do you assess the "bump" in a grand action?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 16193
Re: How do you assess the "bump" in a grand action?
Yeah, Old Steinway grand actions use the felt pads, so after years they compress and the jack top goes further under the roller than it should. I note that their modern actions are now fitted with an adjuster the same as Brooks!
- by pianotechman
- 28 Oct 2013, 19:10
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: A real problem for the pro's!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 14017
A real problem for the pro's!
Ok, fellow technicians, So i'm called out to a Steinway model K upright, that has been fully reconditioned by another technician or firm unknown, as the instrument was bought at auction for quite a substantial sum I believe. Nice clean re-string, original STEINWAY keys that have been recovered in pl...
- by pianotechman
- 27 Oct 2013, 10:15
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner Grand
- Replies: 17
- Views: 24338
Re: Bluthner Grand
I was enjoying reading the comments about the Bluthner patent action,[ I trained/ worked for the company 1976-86] before this topic got rather 'side tracked'!!
- by pianotechman
- 27 Oct 2013, 10:01
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: How do you assess the "bump" in a grand action?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 16193
Re: How do you assess the "bump" in a grand action?
Have you checked the possitioning of the jack under the rollers to begin with? That will also make a difference to the touch/correct working of the action.
- by pianotechman
- 19 Dec 2011, 10:16
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Hammer Butt Springs on a Bechstein IV- advice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 33941
Re: Hammer Butt Springs on a Bechstein IV- advice?
Oh dear, that will be an expensive job. Bushing the frame holes, and inserting oversize pins would help, although if the plank is fractured, the oversize pins will just make the split open and 'run' to the next pin hole. Far better to my way of thinking, to replace the existing wrestplank with a mod...
- by pianotechman
- 18 Dec 2011, 10:25
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Can a piano be untunable?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 11085
Re: Can a piano be untunable?
Or a client tells you that you are the tenth tuner he has engaged.....well the other nine couldn't have all been hopeless, so there must be something wrong with the tuning plank? logical.
- by pianotechman
- 18 Dec 2011, 10:12
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Hammer Butt Springs on a Bechstein IV- advice?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 33941
Re: Hammer Butt Springs on a Bechstein IV- advice?
Robinh must have a good model IV, goodness knows how many wrestplanks I have had to replace due to splitting between the pins in the afforementioned Tenor section! ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
- by pianotechman
- 12 Jul 2010, 08:17
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Brinsmead Grand Piano Action C-1870-1880
- Replies: 3
- Views: 5969
Re: Brinsmead Grand Piano Action C-1870-1880
Dare we ask who made the action first off...Is it a maybe a very old Herburger Brooks?
- by pianotechman
- 12 Jul 2010, 08:09
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Piano strings breaking
- Replies: 12
- Views: 16047
Re: Piano strings breaking
Colin Leverett was pulling up a newley strung Bluthner style 4 when I was in the Perivale workshop, and the frame went, We thought someone had thrown a bomb through the window!......new pants/knickers all 'round Barrie!
- by pianotechman
- 06 May 2009, 09:43
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Steck, The Aeolian Company Ltd.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 25701
Re: Steck, The Aeolian Company Ltd.
That's the building, used to have a clock on the top of it as well! You can find out more about it in local history books of 'Hayes Middlesex'. It had some links with the EMI building, [electrical & musical industries] or known Locally as the 'Gram' as surprise surprise, they started by making g...
- by pianotechman
- 18 Jan 2009, 15:23
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Grotty strings
- Replies: 17
- Views: 21642
Re: Grotty strings
[ So he can say "You made a right mess of that....... :mrgreen: " Sharp intake of breath "that's going to cost to put it right govna " jkl Barrie,[/quote] Probably the sort of self- styled technician who also doubles up in a trade in surfacing drives and Block paving Barrie!....o...
- by pianotechman
- 17 Jan 2009, 09:44
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Grotty strings
- Replies: 17
- Views: 21642
Re: Grotty strings
If you do clean the strings with steel wool, please dont be tempted to use any liquid metal polish,. especially on the Bass strings. I went out to a customer once who had, and the tone of the bass strings had been totaly destroyed. You should be able to purchase a special 'carborundum' rubber from t...
- by pianotechman
- 17 Jan 2009, 09:20
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Christiansen mini upright - action problem
- Replies: 2
- Views: 4952
Re: Christiansen mini upright - action problem
I'm not too sure without a picture, but a few of these minis have screws into the key frame from the underside of the bed, that you have to remove and pull the keyboard towards you, OR a metal bracket at each end that you unscrew from the bed and then pull forward. Regulate the dampers, blow and set...
- by pianotechman
- 24 Dec 2008, 09:51
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Old - but pretty - piano question
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8365
Re: Old - but pretty - piano question
I'm hoping to find information / ideas on the possibility of this piano ever being playable. Has anyone ever converted one of these old cases to an alternate style? Everything is possible,[exept changing a 'straight strung to an overstrung] it just depends to what expense you are prepared to go! It ...
- by pianotechman
- 21 Dec 2008, 11:07
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Essex grand
- Replies: 11
- Views: 14819
- by pianotechman
- 21 Dec 2008, 10:58
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Yamaha B3 Advice
- Replies: 82
- Views: 88688
Kawai damper lift rail pivot
Yesterday I came across a Kawai upright on which the sustain pedal was making a very audible 'knock' when the pedal was depressed, I traced the fault to the bass end pivot lug on the damper lift arm that was either worn, or a very poor fit in the first place...it was made of plastic. I had to drill ...
- by pianotechman
- 07 Dec 2008, 13:10
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Chinese Porcelain Piano
- Replies: 6
- Views: 21384
- by pianotechman
- 07 Dec 2008, 12:51
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Help - Bluthner or Yamaha
- Replies: 10
- Views: 14717
Speaking as a 'tech' at 'Bluthners' Perivale at the time this model 'A' would have been imported, the tuning pins were usually fine, some of them did have problems with lifting veneer edges on the polyesters as has been pointed out. The main issue is the tone of the instrument over a period of time....
- by pianotechman
- 07 Dec 2008, 12:22
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Restoration Project
- Replies: 8
- Views: 12916
Yeah, post away I've restored a couple of them, so I'd be interested in your progress. One of my clients wanted new hammers which had to be custom made ,[rather than recovering which you may have to settle for if you are on a tight budget]. Also it will probably have old cedar wood shanks, so if you...
- by pianotechman
- 07 Dec 2008, 11:44
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Samick Grand NSG 186
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8721
If the retailer won't let one of us 'techs' inspect the instrument to see if the damage is only superficial.......it probably isn't!! The left corner of grands often gets damaged in transit if a carrier doesn't doesn't fit a 'shoe' which protects the bass corner when the instrument is turned on its ...
- by pianotechman
- 30 Nov 2008, 10:09
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: euphona
- Replies: 3
- Views: 6203
I think Marie means it's an ex-pianolla piano and is missing the 'player chest' rather than the action!. I would advise her to leave the instrument behind, especially if the case is large, as most pianollas were. Wait 'till she gets to Ireland to get another piano, which will be used to the country'...
- by pianotechman
- 19 Nov 2008, 17:54
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What a complete and utter twallock
- Replies: 49
- Views: 46488
- by pianotechman
- 17 Nov 2008, 09:22
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Kawai K5 bouncing Hammers
- Replies: 32
- Views: 34212
- by pianotechman
- 16 Nov 2008, 09:59
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: What a complete and utter twallock
- Replies: 49
- Views: 46488
Thanks to a couple of posters, I now know who 'Raymanboy' is. Some years ago, when he was trading in Berkshire, I went with a client to look at some of his pianos. The reconditioning was dire and then he showed her a dreadfull battered upright with a split wrestplank. Appart from telling her that it...
- by pianotechman
- 13 Nov 2008, 14:15
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Yamaha GB1, A Broadwood Remake?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9451
Yamaha GB1, A Broadwood Remake?
Having just tuned a new Yamaha GB1 grand, I was interested to hear what fellow posters/technicians thought about them. Unlike the G1 and G3, this instrument seams to have a less strident tone, Has no 'Duplex type' metal bearing bridge,no doping on the hammers and even the frame colour is copper like...
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