Wim writes:
>> How many "hours" of playing do a set of hammers get before needing to
>> be replaced?
Depends on the demands.
Our concert instruments average about 4 years between hammers. Piano is
played perhaps 30 hours per week. so, maybe 800 hours per year, about 3200
hours on a set of hammers. HOwever, we also have some Yamaha uprights that have
been in the school for 34 years. They have had far more time on them and the
original hammers are just about worn to the limit.
One of our teachers wore a set of Steinway hammers totally out in four
years, others have had their pianos in their studios for 15 years and only now
are approaching difficulty in keeping them voiced down.
I don't know that there can be a sensible time bracket given for hammer life.
>How many times can we restring a piano in the original pin block.
I have had success with twice, (Makes for three stringings, total)
>When does a soundboard need replacing?
When the tonal output justifies the expense. With Steinways, I think most
boards are history in 40-50 years,(though I do own several exceptions).
Chickerings seem to last forever, Baldwins I dunno.
>How many times can
>a
>> piano be rebuilt, with a new soundboard and pin block and strings?
We don't know that yet. With an intact case, plate, and keyframe/rails, I
would suspect indefinitely.
regards,
Ed Foote RPT
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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