Search found 77 matches

by pianotechman
21 Aug 2021, 16:49
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Hopkinson serial number
Replies: 5
Views: 7307

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. :(
by pianotechman
21 Aug 2021, 16:45
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Hopkinson serial number
Replies: 5
Views: 7307

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. :(
by pianotechman
31 Jul 2021, 15:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Pin block for pleyel grand
Replies: 6
Views: 12163

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: 9384

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: 3739

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: 3830

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? :(
by pianotechman
31 Jul 2021, 14:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: String maker advice
Replies: 3
Views: 3830

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: 13721

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: 24550

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: 12366

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: 2791

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: 7307

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: 7664

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: 14115

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: 16067

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 :roll:
by pianotechman
20 Dec 2013, 17:47
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Rebuilding
Replies: 5
Views: 9918

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: 9918

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: 21882

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: 28482

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: 14345

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: 13929

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: 13929

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: 13929

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 :roll:
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: 13929

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: 21214

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!]
by pianotechman
28 Oct 2013, 20:08
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: How do you assess the "bump" in a grand action?
Replies: 11
Views: 16085

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: 13929

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: 24062

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: 16085

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: 32743

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: 10995

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: 32743

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! :(
by pianotechman
12 Jul 2010, 08:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Brinsmead Grand Piano Action C-1870-1880
Replies: 3
Views: 5923

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: 15924

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: 25057

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: 21507

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: 21507

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: 4920

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: 8320

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: 14726

joseph wrote:apparently in America, they see Essex as a symbol of British affluence and prosperity. They haven't quite got the whole chav thing . . . . . . . .

Do they get that idea from episodes of 'Eastenders' where everone is fighting or sleeping with each other and totaly dissfunctional? :lol:
by pianotechman
21 Dec 2008, 10:58
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha B3 Advice
Replies: 82
Views: 87939

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: 21100

I had to work on a Steinway grand belonging to a Saudi royal, that was covered in green malachite and gold cherubs,[ I believe there were only three made] It weighed a 'ton', and I suppose if it was damaged you'd have to call in a lapidary rather than a polisher! :lol:
by pianotechman
07 Dec 2008, 12:51
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help - Bluthner or Yamaha
Replies: 10
Views: 14633

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: 12841

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: 8660

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: 6171

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: 46007

Can't think for the life of me who you might be talking about Gill!
by pianotechman
17 Nov 2008, 09:22
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai K5 bouncing Hammers
Replies: 32
Views: 33840

We used to call the fault 'blubbering', i don't know if that's the universal term in the trade for a hammer that does not go into 'check properly'. A tech should be able to sort it out easily, especially if it's a new instrument!
by pianotechman
16 Nov 2008, 09:59
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What a complete and utter twallock
Replies: 49
Views: 46007

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: 9390

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...