Hi All While I am unable to say when tuning pins changed from smooth to threaded or when pin blocks changed from solid to laminated, I at least wanted to offer my thoughts as to why these changes occured. In a word, tension. The higher tension found on pianos as they developed required a tighter tuning pin. The pins have treads for two reasons I think. The thread actually grips the inside of the hole. The other reason for the thread is simple to make it easier to remove the pin. Now on the other hand. For harpsichords the best pins are smooth. These pins do not need to be very tight. I take care of some that are loose enough I can remove and replace them with my fingers, just about. Also harpsichords break strings frequently enough that the zither type pins may actually harm the holes with constantly being removed and replaced to replace strings. For the same reason, low tension, harpsichords can get by just fine with solid pin blocks. The forte-piano is another matter. I would guess that the earlier instruments used solid blocks and smooth tuning pins. And that as pianos with more volume and more carrying power were built with higher string tension the smooth pin would not hold and the solid block was not strong enough either. I have seen original tuning pins in an instrument dating from cir 1825. These are oblong pins and they are threaded. We have an 1806 Broadwood some place down in storage. I will go take a look at it in a few days and see if what sort of tuning pins it has. Later, -Phil + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Phil Sloffer + + psloffer@indiana.edu + + Indiana University + + School of Music + + Bloomington Indiana + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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