Fw: Restoration

[Arlene Carsten]

If there is anyone on this mailing list who may either have a supply of
brass flanges for our old Chickering Grand or have drawings that we could
use to fabricate new flanges out of some other material, we would appreciate
a private reply to our e-mail address   carsten@prcn.org   We would also be
interested in finding a technician who has had experience in rebuilding such
pianos.  We have a machine shop at our disposal here as well as a son who is
an expert machinist! Thanking you in advance for any replies.

Arlene Carsten
-----Original Message-----
From: Granholm Bros. <gbros@term.wanweb.net>
To: carsten@prcn.org <carsten@prcn.org>
Cc: jackdad@term.wanweb.net <jackdad@term.wanweb.net>
Date: Saturday, January 10, 1998 4:33 PM
Subject: Re: Restoration


>Arlene:
>
>I would tend to agree with your technician that you should carefully
>consider a large expenditure on this instrument.  This isn't because of the
>Chickering's quality, but because of the probable high cost of the
>operation.
>
>Chickering was known for their innovations and experiments in piano design,
>particularly in their actions.  The brass parts were used in no other
>brands, and they are unavailable today, unless you can find a rebuilder who
>has stockpiled them out of junked pianos.  I suppose you could have a new
>set of flanges machined out of brass or another material, but again you
>must weigh what this costs against your attachment to the piano.
>
>Also, an old Chickering is not a typical rebuild, so if I were you, I'd try
>to find a technician/rebuilder who's had prior experience with them.  If
>your current tech hasn't done one (or hopefully more) of these pianos, you
>may want to seek out another opinion.  If you can't find such a tech in
>your area, you could inquire at pianotech@ptg.org.  This is a mailing list
>of piano technicians, where you'll more than likely get lots of opinions
>and free advice.  Replies will probably be posted on the list, so if you
>want email back, request private replies to your address.
>
>John Granholm
>Granholm Bros Piano
>Roseburg  OR
>
>>>We have a 1907 Chickering Grand 5'6"   The pin block was ruined by an
>>>inept technician although we already had the largest pins available in
>>>part of the bass section so a new pin block and new pins seemed
>>>appropriate.
>>>
>>>However, another technician told us that restoring the pin block and
>>>putting new pins in was a risky investment because of the fragility of
the
>>>brass flanges used in the old Chickerings.
>>>
>>>My husband wonders if these flanges can be replaced by stainless steel or
>>>another type of material.  We love the piano, but cannot play it now due
>>>to the bass being out of tune and unable to hold a tuning.  Could you
>>>advise?
>>>
>>>Thank you.
>>>
>>>Arlene Carsten
>>>Carsten@prcn.org
>
>