Fw: Restoration

[John Ross]

Arlene Carsten wrote:
> 
> 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
> >
> >
Hi,
I seem to recollect using Billings Brass Flanges as found in APSCO's
catalogue, item #24433 on page 78. It woked on an older Chickering Grand
I worked on. Although with Chickering, I have found they were always
changing components, in some cases 2 types in the same piano. Although
I guess someone could have changed a section of components years ago.
Hope this helps,
John M. Ross