Dennis Benson wrote: > > List, > I have a customer with a Knabe grand from early 1900's (6'2" I believe). > It was restored in 1983 and a falconwood pinblock installed. > Now the block has dropped to bind the action stack. It's wedged in pretty > tight. The block is apparently screwed in from the bottom. > > Question? How do I get it out and is it repairable? > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Dennis, I have restored two of these pianos in the last year, and I can assure you that the original pinblock was, and the replacement should be solidly screwed and glued to the inner rim and stretcher. If the block has dropped, it was a poor job of installation to begin with. If I had this problem, I would ease string tension, and tighten all the screws on the plate to see if the block can be lifted back to normal position. If the action can be removed, you might also try a pinblock jack. I suspect you will find that the plate screws have loosened or stripped to the point where they can not be retightened. If such is the case, longer screws may be an interim fix, but the ultimate cure is probably a new pinblock. My question: If the block is screwed in from the bottom, to what is it screwed? If this piano is a "B" model made before about 1914, it has the potential to be a wonderful instrument. It's worth the time and effort to make it so. Frank Weston
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