Restringing

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Les Smith wrote:

> On Sat, 17 Jan 1998, Delwin D Fandrich wrote:
>
> > A few thoughts on stringing, if you don't mind....
> >
> > 1)     Pinblock Support. Probably we lose more sleep over this than is
> > warranted. Modern pinblocks are generally tough enough
> > to withstand stringing without any bottom support. As are the plates
> > they are attached to. Pinblock bottom support is
> > insurance, and as with all insurance policies, you'll not miss it
> > unless it's not there. So do it, just don't panic if you
> > happen to drive a pin in off to the side of your support block.
>
> Sorry, Del, but I think the above should be qualified a bit. It was my
> distinct impression that the original poster was restringing an old
> baby grand which still had its original pinblock. There was no mention
> of the block having been replaced. When restringing an old piano with
> its original block I would contend that supporting the old block is
> absolutely essential. My reasoning is that I, like probably everyone else
> of the list, have seen many old pianos with delaminated pinblocks caused
> by techs setting the old pins deeper into the block without bothering to
> support it from below. If merely setting the old pins deeper can cause
> delamination in an unsupported old block, then pounding in an entire
> set of over-size pins in one is just asking for trouble-- the kind that
> no tech trying to restring his first piano will likely be equipped to
> handle. Adopting a practice of ALWAYS supporting the block from beneath--
> whether setting the old pins, replacing a few, or all of them, or even
> restringing with a new block--seems an easy way to insure against dis-
> aster striking when you least expect it. Just one old, and maybe overly-
> cautious tech's opinion, of course!
>
> Les Smith
> lessmith@buffnet.net

----------------------------------

Les,

You're point is well taken. When I hear of a piano being restrung, I assume it's with a new block. It's been many years since
I've had to restring any piano using its original block. A modern pinblock is considerably tougher than one that is fourty or
sixty or eighty years old. Mostly, I'm of the opinion that old blocks shouldn't be re-used. I know...there are always those
exceptions. But they should be just that, exceptions. It's just not that hard or expensive to replace them. Well, ok, most of
them.

And, as I said, I do make it a practice to support the block while I'm stringing. As we have both pointed out, at the very
least it is good insurance. It's just that, like tightening plate bolts and screws every time the piano is tuned, we can get
a bit carried away from time to time. You're right, though, if we're going to screw up, it's probably best to do it on the
side of caution. At least most of the time.

Del