Mark, We have a lot of Baldwins here at the Conservatory from all eras. As a matter of fact, there are probably more Baldwins here than anywhere else due to the relationship the company had with the school over the years. Many have odd parts dimensions because they have been muddled with over the years and many have come from the factory with curious configurations due I think to manufacturing problems caused by a case of bad "institutional memory". (This is just my theory). The end result though, is that these actions work quite well when set up correctly and the pianos are for the most part quite good. As best I can tell from sources I've asked (old Baldwin people) the correct measurement from the center pin to the center of the hammer molding is supposed to be 5 1/8". If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. Some of the pianos here had sharps that were hitting the fallboard because the action had to be pushed in so far to get the strike point right. Check both extreme hammers...sometimes they measure 4 7/8" at one end and 5" at the other. By changing to 5 1/8" you are then able to move the stack 1/8" towards the keyboard and retain the correct strikepoint. You'll need new S&F's to do this. You need to chisel 1/8" off of the bass and treble shoes...do it precisely and it will be good for accurate positioning when drilling new holes for the action brackets. Plug all the old bracket screw holes with side-grained maple plugs. After you reposition the stack you can look at the capstan placement. Most of these Baldwins have around a .58 key ratio. By moving the capstan line towards the balance rail you can improve this to about .52 without having to change the wipp heels and compliance with the magic line is good. By doing all this you usually end up with an action ratio of 5.5 or so, keydip .400", blow 1 3/4", and you can usually reduce the frontweights by a significant amount. You don't have to change the backchecks because of the longer shanks because you're moving the stack the same amount. I've done these adaptations as a part of a Stanwood Precision Touch Design to a number of pianos in the practice rooms here and so far it's been a win-win situation. The students really like these actions. By the way, I drive right by the old Baldwin factory every day on my way to drop off and pick up my son from his day-camp. It's a beautiful building which has been restored and is now part of an office complex less than half a mile from downtown Cincinnati. It's a shame the company couldn't have survived and preserved its rich heritage. Eric Eric Wolfley, RPT Supervising Piano Technician College-Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati BTW Eric, I recall you mentioned hanging hammers on several Baldwin L's at a non-standard length (to center-pin). You've got my curiousity. Could you relate the how and why? (I have a 63'L in the shop with a set of Encore shanks ready to on) thanks, Mark Cramer, Brandon University _______________________________________________ caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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