Danemann soundboard screws

dogmusic · Post by **dogmusic** » 05 Jul 2008, 03:09

Hello,

This is my first time posting here, but I have been searching through your forums for info on Danemann pianos.

I am currently looking at purchasing a 6'8" Danemann grand, S/N 79573.

I had taken some photos of it, and just noticed that there are a number of screws in the soundboard. That is, the screwheads are visible on the TOP of the soundboard, looking into the piano, not underneath.

Most noticeably, there is a line of screws running parallel to and near the long bridge, as if they were screwed into a rib.

Is this a crude repair of the rib having separated from the soundboard, or is this how the Danemann was originally made?

Would this have a negative effect on the tone and longevity of this piano? (I must say, I do like the sound of it.)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Phillip

dogmusic · Post by **dogmusic** » 05 Jul 2008, 14:39

Anybody have any input on this?

Duffer · Post by **Duffer** » 05 Jul 2008, 16:23

I have a small Danemann grand. If you post a picture I will compare it with my instrument for you and report back.

Regards

Duffer

dogmusic · Post by **dogmusic** » 05 Jul 2008, 16:57

Duffer wrote:I have a small Danemann grand. If you post a picture I will compare it with my instrument for you and report back.

Regards

Duffer

Thanks very much for your help.

here is a link to a photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11226347@N04/2639442996/

If you click at the upper left hand corner of the photo ("ALL SIZES"), you can see an enlargement.

Duffer · Post by **Duffer** » 05 Jul 2008, 17:56

If you mean the very small things on the keyboard side of the bridge I am sorry to say they are not feature of my piano. Not being a techie I have no idea what they might be. Can you get someone suitably qualified and experienced to look at it for you?

I should add that I am very happy with the tone of my Danemann which is now about 30 - 35 years old. Pity I can't play the d*?# thing properly.

A member of the Danemann family Tim Danemann runs a piano business called Danemann Pianos in a tiny little town near me in Devon called Buckfastleigh (Tel: 44 (0)1364 642828, info@danemannpianos.co.uk). Why not email him?

Let us know how you get on.

Duffer

dogmusic · Post by **dogmusic** » 05 Jul 2008, 20:24

Duffer wrote:If you mean the very small things on the keyboard side of the bridge I am sorry to say they are not feature of my piano. Not being a techie I have no idea what they might be. Can you get someone suitably qualified and experienced to look at it for you?

I should add that I am very happy with the tone of my Danemann which is now about 30 - 35 years old. Pity I can't play the d*?# thing properly.

A member of the Danemann family Tim Danemann runs a piano business called Danemann Pianos in a tiny little town near me in Devon called Buckfastleigh (Tel: 44 (0)1364 642828, info@danemannpianos.co.uk). Why not email him?

Let us know how you get on.

Duffer

Thanks, Duffer. I did contact Tim Danemann, and he kindly replied with similar news. The Danemann grands in his possession do NOT have these screws. So either this is a repair, or there was some design change for this manufacturing year (1959).

Thanks again for your help.

Phillip

Post by **vernon** » 06 Jul 2008, 15:01

Most English piano makers at least made an "extra prepared "version of standard models for export to the tropics.
Apart from pinned keys, pinned key chasings, red lead paint underneath to discourage termites and mouse-proof pedals to keep out wildlife of all sorts,these mods included screwed bridges and sometimes belly bars. However, they can be the result also a feature of fixing a buzzing bar or bridge.
Look carefully at the screws and if it is clear that the heads are under the original belly varnish it is likely they were original.Otherwise, it will be a repair
vernon

dogmusic · Post by **dogmusic** » 07 Jul 2008, 00:43

vernon wrote:Most English piano makers at least made an "extra prepared "version of standard models for export to the tropics.
Apart from pinned keys, pinned key chasings, red lead paint underneath to discourage termites and mouse-proof pedals to keep out wildlife of all sorts,these mods included screwed bridges and sometimes belly bars. However, they can be the result also a feature of fixing a buzzing bar or bridge.
Look carefully at the screws and if it is clear that the heads are under the original belly varnish it is likely they were original.Otherwise, it will be a repair
vernon

Thanks for this information, Vernon. I will do what you suggest when I next see the piano.

Phillip

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