pianotech-digest V1997 #1556

Dr. Edward E. Swenson swensone@ic4.ithaca.edu
Sat, 20 Mar 1999 07:07:14 -0400


> 
> pianotech-digest       Friday, March 19 1999       Volume 1997 : Number 1556
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 20:34:02 -0500
> From: btrout@desupernet.net
> Subject: Re: Thoughts on soundboards...you out there Ron?
>
> Hi Ron,
>
> Ron Nossaman wrote:
>
>> * Good thinking. Then you have the chain jump off the hoist and land smack
>> among the hitch pins of octave six when you go to install it. I'll put the
>> last coat on it... again... I hope, tomorrow. There's definitely something
>> evil about octave six. %-) And yes, I did finally make a sort of guard for
>> the chain. Hope you have better luck.
>>
>> Actually, I don't use a chain for lifting plates in and out.  I use a block
and
>> tackle type setup for the lifting, but it's all done from a single point...
I'll
>> try to explain.  Attached to the plate I use straps, kind of like what you'd
use
>> to strap a piano to a skid board if you were moving it.  (About 2 inches
wide,
>> flat...)  Usually, I use two of them, one from side to side in the front near
the
>> pinblock area, and one from side to side in the back, somewhere around the
nose,
>> it's not that critical.  Both straps go through a metal ring (aprox. 3"
> in diam.),
>> and the hook on the end of the block and tackle gets put through the ring to
lift
>> and lower.  Sounds like a pretty big juggling act, but once you've done a
couple,
>> it gets pretty easy to guestimate where the bugger will likely balance.
> I've done
>> it several times all by myself, but it feels better having a helper. Anyway,
no
>> chain.  The worst thing that happens for me is when I forget myself and take
the
>> ring off of the hook and accidentally drop it.  It ALWAYS lands smack in the
>> center of the soundboard and leaves me a nice little dent (which usually I'm
the
>> only one who knows it's there, but it'll bug me!).
>>
>> * That's about it, except I use a belt sander with boulder grit (40).
>>
>> Kind of reminds me of a show on PBS.  The Furniture Guys.  I don't know if
you've
>> seen them, they're a riot.  They were doing a show on furniture distressing
one
>> time and one of their 'tools' was a big sort of square shaped rock, maybe 4
or 5
>> in. square... they called it #1 grit sandpaper.  Ha, ha.  Anyway I got a kick
out
>> of it...
>
>> * Hmmm, that would probably be #2 shmutz. Really, I don't know. Some folks
>> habitually fit the plate with epoxy, but others think that's wrong. I
>> normally don't, but I have when the fitting process wasn't getting me there
>> well enough because of some weird plate configuration.
>
> I don't have any #2 shmutz.  (or any #1 or #3 shmutz either, for that matter.)
I
> just keep workin' on that thing till it fits.  Sometimes it's just a couple of
> hours, sometimes it's most all day.  Some go well, some don't go so well.
>
> During those hours of fitting, I sometimes dream of ways to build some kind of
jig
> (for a router, maybe) to make the pinblock to fit the plate Exactly and
precisely.
> Perhaps with a CNC router...  Well, needless to say, I always get done fitting
the
> pinblock before I work out the details... and don't think about it again till
the
> next pinblock, at which time the thought process starts all over again, at the
> beginning...)
>
> Good to talk to you, Ron.
>
> Have a good weekend.
>
> Brian
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 20:33:54 -0500
> From: btrout@desupernet.net
> Subject: Fitting pinblocks & side to side registry
>
> Hi all,
>
> First thanks for all the responses about fitting pinblocks.  I feel a
> little sheepish now that I think about it.  I worked a number of years
> in construction and I should have known what the stuff was that we put
> into the chalk line...  (sheepish grin...)
>
> As far a keeping track of where a pinblock is from side to side, I
> usually will use a pencil mark on each end of the pinblock, somewhere
> where it will make sense to me.  It might be a mark which will line up
> with a corner of the plate.  If you wanted to, you could attach
> something like a block of wood to the side of the plate with a bar clamp
> and use an index line.  There are probably a hundred ways.  The main
> thing is that you make a mark that means something to you.  Something
> that won't move when you don't want it to.  Something simple and easy.
> You'll figure it out.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Brian Trout
> Quarryville, Pa.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 21:24:58 -0500
> From: nhunt@jagat.com (Newton Hunt)
> Subject: Re: piano tuners are 126
>
> Don't work that way, Wim.  Ask any of the guys on caut@ptg.org about
> recital time at a university.  WHOLE different ball game.  The whole
> department goes ballistic and carries you right along.
>
> Try tuning a concert piano with the outside doors open and a cold wet
> breeze coming across the piano, the stage hands doing a load in, the
> ligh crew are yelling to each other about how to set the lights and
> the sound guys trying to set up the sound system and you have 45
> minutes to tune somone elses piano.
>
> Now THAT is stress.
>
> Have a stressless weekend.
>
>  Newto
>
> Wimblees@AOL.COM wrote:
>>
>> In a message dated 3/19/99 6:46:29 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
>> nhunt@jagat.com
>> writes:
>>
>> << Wim, you obviously have not worked at a university at recital
>> time or
>>  have wroked on the concert stage.  Two quite stressful places.
>>
>>                 Newton >>
>>
>> Any profession, no matter how "unstressful," can have a moment or
>> two when a
>> deadline has to be met.  I see meeting a deadline, and having a
>> stress free
>> job, as two different things.  A lot depends on how you deal with a
>> deadline.
>> I think of stress as it relates to the pressures associates with the
>> job over
>> which a person has no control. Even in a recital situation, the
>> piano tuner
>> has some control, in that he can always tell the performer, and even
>> the
>> audience, that the show won't go on until the piano is ready. Not
>> that you
>> want to do that, but it can happen. Just my 2  cents worth.
>>
>> Wim
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 21:34:07 -0500
> From: "Bob Kleese" <bkleese@chesco.com>
> Subject: Wanted To Hire: Piano Technician In Phila. Area
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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> - ------=_NextPart_000_0012_01BE7250.37BF8100
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> I am considering buying a Steinway Model L.  I would like to hire a =
> piano technician with experience in rebuilding Steinways to evaluate the =
> piano(s) condition and estimated value that I am interested in.
>
> I require the highest ethical dedication to a noble profession.   I am a =
> woodby musician who has the utmost respect for the people who can =
> repair, care for and make a musical instrument sound beautiful.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0012_01BE7250.37BF8100
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>  charset="iso-8859-1"
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> <HTML>
> <HEAD>
>
> <META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
> http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
> <META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR>
> </HEAD>
> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I am considering buying a Steinway =
> Model=20
> L.&nbsp; I would like to hire a piano technician with experience in =
> rebuilding=20
> Steinways to evaluate the piano(s) condition and estimated value that I =
> am=20
> interested in.</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I require the highest ethical =
> dedication to a=20
> noble profession.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am a woodby musician who has the utmost =
> respect=20
> for the people who can repair, care for and make a musical instrument =
> sound=20
> beautiful.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0012_01BE7250.37BF8100--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 21:13:53 -0600
> From: "John M. Formsma" <jformsma@dixie-net.com>
> Subject: 1960s Steinway console
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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> - ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01BE724D.64877600
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>
> Greetings, List.
>
> Today I tuned a first for me--a 1960s Steinway console. What seemed odd was
> that from G5 to the top of the piano, the majority of the strings (middle
> ones, at least) had false beats. That, or else there was some other noise
> that was coming from somewhere. The beats ranged from about 1 per second to
> around 8 per second. At first I thought it might have been that my strip
> mute was not muting the outer strings properly, but I tried with the strip
> mute and two rubber mutes--same beats. When I tuned the other strings, it
> sounded better, but was still somewhat noticeable in that the unisons were
> not as "clean" as in, say, a Yamaha of the same size.
>
> Since this was my first, are all Steinway consoles like this? If you have
> any experience with Steinway consoles, I'd really be interested in hearing
> it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Formsma
>
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01BE724D.64877600
> Content-Type: text/html;
>  charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
> <HTML>
> <HEAD>
>
> <META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" =
> http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
> <META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.3612.1700"' name=3DGENERATOR>
> </HEAD>
> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
>
> size=3D2>Greetings, List.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
>
> size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
> size=3D2>Today=20
> I tuned a first for me--a 1960s Steinway console. What seemed odd was =
> that from=20
> G5 to the top of the piano, the majority of the strings (middle ones, at =
> least)=20
> had false beats. That, or else there was some other noise that was =
> coming from=20
> somewhere. The beats ranged from about 1 per second to around 8 per =
> second. At=20
> first I thought it might have been that my strip mute was not muting the =
> outer=20
> strings properly, but I tried with the strip mute and two rubber =
> mutes--same=20
> beats. When I tuned the other strings, it sounded better, but was still =
> somewhat=20
> noticeable in that the unisons were not as &quot;clean&quot; as in, say, =
> a=20
> Yamaha of the same size.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
>
> size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
> size=3D2>Since=20
> this was my first, are all Steinway consoles like this? If you have any=20
> experience with Steinway consoles, I'd really be interested in hearing=20
> it.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
> <DIV><SPAN class=3D290520203-20031999><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial =
>
> size=3D2>Thanks,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3DArial size=3D2>John =
> Formsma</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></BODY></HTML>
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0016_01BE724D.64877600--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 22:16:26 -0600 (CST)
> From: Ron Nossaman <nossaman@SOUTHWIND.NET>
> Subject: Re: Sharp things (was Re: Biscuit cutter)
>
> At 05:47 PM 3/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>Ron...
>>
>>Point 1: I momentarily confused Norm Abrams with the guy that cuts down a
>>tree with a scythe, then, using his feet for a vise, turns said tree into a
>>rocking chair  using only a pocket knife.
>
> * BUZZZZZZZ! Wrong! Thank you for playing. That would be the Roy Underhill
> creature, who buys Band-Aids by the case and uses his sour mash for wound
> disinfectant (visible evidence to the contrary). He's good to watch when you
> need to feel good about having gotten through the day with all your fingers.
> Like when you have had a day so hideous that that's the only possibility of
> consolation you have left. Ya know? By the way, that would be an antique
> #214 Barlow pocketknife with the cheater bar and hammer striking platform on
> the handle (shudder). Besides, feet are used for installing S&S lyres.
>
>
>>Personally, I'm not interested in
>>anything that doesn't have a wall socket, batteries, or fossil fuels
>>nearby.
>
> * Uh oh, this sounds like a line voltage diesel coming on.
>
>
>>I finally realized you are talking about the guy that either buys
>>Titebond by the tanker-load, or has an endorsement agreement with Franklin.
>>Apparently he hasn't heard of dry-wall screws.
>
> * He owns a biscuit joiner. He has no use for such pedestrian hardware. (Be
> green, be VERY green (ha!))
>
>
>>Point 2. Why do I get the feeling that "Mr. Caster Cup" will be introducing
>>a new spring line of Dixie Cup dispensers -- in contrasting hardwoods, no
>>doubt. 8-}
>
> * Baja Mason-Dixon Distributors Inc. Live Oak and Spanish moss products for
> livin' the Gentry life. Y'all come on down. Season tickets and snake bite
> remedy available by prior arrangement... also snakes.
>
>
>>Decisions decisions,
>>Jim Gone to whup up some yum-yum biscuits and [either] milk or red-eye Harvey
>>(aka Jim glad we have 911 service Harvey)
>
> * Aw heck, now I'm thirsty too.
>
>
>>Jim Harvey, RPT
>
>
> OK, so the List watch "topic cops" and "bandwidth watchdogs" are going to
> get me if I don't have anything technical here, so I'll offer the
> observation that the Chickering repair that started all this (there HAD to
> be a Jim or two of some sort behind this) might also benefit from a few of
> those sheetrock screws that Norm is too bisquitized to use, strategically
> placed through the inner rim, and into the outer to better hold the whole
> mess together. Like I said, I like mechanical fasteners. They prove someone
> was there who cared.
>
> Best,
>  Ron
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 22:16:28 -0600 (CST)
> From: Ron Nossaman <nossaman@SOUTHWIND.NET>
> Subject: Re: grand piano lyre
>
> At 06:10 PM 3/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>> The knowledge which so many of you obviously
>>> possess and are willing to share is almost unbelievable.
>>
>>Don't care what you think, tell us what you DID.
>> Newton
>
>
> Here here! How can we steal an idea that wasn't presented?
>
>  Ron
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 22:15:35 -0600 (CST)
> From: skroeker@mts.net (Stan Kroeker)
> Subject: Pinblock Fit
>
> Greetings from the rapidly thawing Canadian prairie!
>
> Further to the discussion on pinblock fitting, could someone comment on
> Yamaha's official position on this issue?  A colleague of mine has a client
> whose C3 has a gap between block and flange tapering from 33 thou in the
> bass to about 11 thou in the treble.  The piano apparently suffers from
> tuning instability despite proper humidity control (Dampp Chaser) and
> frequent tuning.
>
> When brought to Yamaha's attention, the official factory response was that
> the gap was "within tolerance".  Is there such a tolerance for pinblock
> fit?  To me, it either contacts the flange or it doesn't.
>
> Regards to all,
>
> Stan Kroeker
> Registered Piano Technician
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 22:16:30 -0600 (CST)
> From: Ron Nossaman <nossaman@SOUTHWIND.NET>
> Subject: Re: piano tuners are 126
>
> At 09:24 PM 3/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>Don't work that way, Wim.  Ask any of the guys on caut@ptg.org about
>>recital time at a university.  WHOLE different ball game.  The whole
>>department goes ballistic and carries you right along.
>>
>>Try tuning a concert piano with the outside doors open and a cold wet
>>breeze coming across the piano, the stage hands doing a load in, the
>>ligh crew are yelling to each other about how to set the lights and
>>the sound guys trying to set up the sound system and you have 45
>>minutes to tune somone elses piano.
>>
>>Now THAT is stress.
>>
>>Have a stressless weekend.
>>
>> Newto
>
>
> Newto,
> You left out the fork lift and the 14,002 folding chairs in the local
> Coliseum. I understand. Some things are best forgotten. It's unbelievable to
> me how utterly intrusive the sound of folding chairs being THROWN into place
> is to the tuning process. My tool case is already heavy enough without the
> optional Pre-emptive strike bazooka, but it is certainly tempting.
>
>  Ron
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 20:14:10 -0800
> From: Ed Carwithen <musicman@eoni.com>
> Subject: Bush & Gerts
>
> Worked on a Bush and Gerts, 1896 year, according to the Piano Atlas.
> Beautiful cabinet, but what was inside was pretty much beyond useful life.
> HOWEVER, there were several extra sets of strings.  1 Bass String below A0,
> a tri-chord above the treble break, and another tri chord further up.
> There were no hammers, no keys, no action of any kind for these strings,
> and no room to add any.  The strings had been muted off with rubber wedges.
>
> Why?
>
>
> Ed Carwithen
> John Day, OR
> This Bush and Gerts piano must have been equipped with a transposing keyboard
which allowed the instrument to be played a half step higher or lower than
conventional.
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 23:27:47 -0600
> From: "James Grebe" <pianoman@inlink.com>
> Subject: Re: Sharp things (was Re: Biscuit cutter)
>
> hey watch it
> My HHCC's will  get you.
> - -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Nossaman <nossaman@SOUTHWIND.NET>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: Friday, March 19, 1999 10:18 PM
> Subject: Re: Sharp things (was Re: Biscuit cutter)
>
>
>>At 05:47 PM 3/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>>Ron...
>>>
>>>Point 1: I momentarily confused Norm Abrams with the guy that cuts down a
>>>tree with a scythe, then, using his feet for a vise, turns said tree into
> a
>>>rocking chair  using only a pocket knife.
>>
>>* BUZZZZZZZ! Wrong! Thank you for playing. That would be the Roy Underhill
>>creature, who buys Band-Aids by the case and uses his sour mash for wound
>>disinfectant (visible evidence to the contrary). He's good to watch when
> you
>>need to feel good about having gotten through the day with all your
> fingers.
>>Like when you have had a day so hideous that that's the only possibility of
>>consolation you have left. Ya know? By the way, that would be an antique
>>#214 Barlow pocketknife with the cheater bar and hammer striking platform
> on
>>the handle (shudder). Besides, feet are used for installing S&S lyres.
>>
>>
>>>Personally, I'm not interested in
>>>anything that doesn't have a wall socket, batteries, or fossil fuels
>>>nearby.
>>
>>* Uh oh, this sounds like a line voltage diesel coming on.
>>
>>
>>>I finally realized you are talking about the guy that either buys
>>>Titebond by the tanker-load, or has an endorsement agreement with
> Franklin.
>>>Apparently he hasn't heard of dry-wall screws.
>>
>>* He owns a biscuit joiner. He has no use for such pedestrian hardware. (Be
>>green, be VERY green (ha!))
>>
>>
>>>Point 2. Why do I get the feeling that "Mr. Caster Cup" will be
> introducing
>>>a new spring line of Dixie Cup dispensers -- in contrasting hardwoods, no
>>>doubt. 8-}
>>
>>* Baja Mason-Dixon Distributors Inc. Live Oak and Spanish moss products for
>>livin' the Gentry life. Y'all come on down. Season tickets and snake bite
>>remedy available by prior arrangement... also snakes.
>>
>>
>>>Decisions decisions,
>>>Jim Gone to whup up some yum-yum biscuits and [either] milk or red-eye
> Harvey
>>>(aka Jim glad we have 911 service Harvey)
>>
>>* Aw heck, now I'm thirsty too.
>>
>>
>>>Jim Harvey, RPT
>>
>>
>>OK, so the List watch "topic cops" and "bandwidth watchdogs" are going to
>>get me if I don't have anything technical here, so I'll offer the
>>observation that the Chickering repair that started all this (there HAD to
>>be a Jim or two of some sort behind this) might also benefit from a few of
>>those sheetrock screws that Norm is too bisquitized to use, strategically
>>placed through the inner rim, and into the outer to better hold the whole
>>mess together. Like I said, I like mechanical fasteners. They prove someone
>>was there who cared.
>>
>>Best,
>> Ron
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 23:02:50 -0700
> From: "Sy Zabrocki" <only4zab@imt.net>
> Subject: Horse & Wagon
>
> From Sy Zabrocki--Billings, Montana
>
> Imagine having to deliver your pianos by horse and wagon.
>
> On a Montana ranch I was tuning a fine old 1913 Janssen upright. While I'm
> working the man came to me with his family photo album. He shows me a couple
> photos of this piano being delivered in the winter time by horse and wagon.
> It's a flat bed wagon and the lettering "Janssen Piano Co." are clearly
> visible on the piano crate. His grandfather ordered the piano and had it
> shipped by rail to the town train depot. Then the last 17 miles was by horse
> and wagon. It must have been one cold trip for the horses, the driver and
> the piano.
>
> I then told him of the Charles Walter family who bought the last remnants of
> the Janssen factory. They might be interested in this photo so why don't
> make a copy and send it to them. Well he never got around to providing me
> the copy.
>
> Even today delivering pianos is no fun. Just imagine having to hitch up the
> horses every time you made a sale.
>
> Just once in my life I had to do some farm work with horses and I didn't
> like it. Horses stink! I was still a pure innocent young man until I met
> those horese. They made me so mad I learned to cuss.
>
> Sy Zabrocki
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 01:28:19 -0500
> From: harvey <harvey@greenwood.net>
> Subject: Re: Pinblock Fit
>
> Stan, I thought this question might eventually come up. Let's explore this
> a little.
>
> Regarding pinblock to flange fit, you're right. That's one point for Stan.
>
> You're right on principal -- that the block either contacts the flange or
> it doesn't. For us it is (or should be) a matter of pride --sometimes ego,
> to see how well we can mate those surfaces. However, we're doing one
> pinblock at a time. Conversely, I've noticed that some rebuilders don't pay
> a lot of attention to the top surface (dress or top veneer ply to plate
> webbing area as mentioned earlier by Carl Root). Yamaha do! Some rebuilders
> are quite casual about drilling for tuning pin angles. Yamaha seems pretty
> consistent in this area.
>
> Now one point for Yamaha. They are right in that (your value) is within
> (their) tolerances while installing hundreds of pinblocks while you're
> hand-fitting. That's likely because they are using parameters other than
> yours (or mine) as to what works... not necessarily what's right. It's also
> a polite way of saying, "We build over 100,000 pianos a year for the world
> market (and all the baggage that a world market implies). If we were
> experiencing gross instability problems, don't you think we would look into
> the matter"?
>
> So, where do we go from here? There are some pianos where feeler gauges
> give a bogus impression. Others depend on how the feeler gauge is used
> (angle of approach, top/bottom or total contact). Still others don't
> require feeler gauges -- one could drive a truck through the gaps, yet they
> don't exhibit the characteristics associated with having gaps. On these
> pianos, it is a mechanical improbability to minutely fit the block to the
> flange at certain junctures -- it's just too time-consuming for the little
> return in mechanical gain. Given the opportunity, look at a gutted Kawai
> KG-3. Notice the pinblock, then look at the mirror image (how the block
> must fit) into the plate webbing area. [Anything built by Chickering is
> intentionally omitted, but these had cavities for holding the pinblock(s)
> captive.]
>
> Even with certain pianos/models, -we- might be tempted to go the extra mile
> with extra fitting, perhaps epoxy or other fillers. Manufacturers don't
> typically go to these extremes when production quotas are figured on how
> many crated units are waiting at the loading dock at closing time on a
> given day.
>
> I'll cut to the chase. You mentioned finding xxx values along the area. You
> didn't mention whether this was a cursory check on your part, or if you
> found cause to go in pursuit with feeler gauges. Was there any indication
> of the pinblock "rocking" on the plate flange? If so, the resulting tuning
> instability should be immediately noticeable -- tuning the bass de-tunes
> the treble, and vice-versa (or similar sectional characteristics). If the
> piano tunes out nicely (short term = now), where is the problem? Therein is
> the tolerance. It's either stable or not... yes or no. From a warranty
> standpoint, (if that's why you called), I believe tuning instability may be
> viable grounds for a warranty claim... the presence of a gap is not.
>
> If tuning stability is found, other avenues may be explored first. One
> often overlooked item is that of removing the action, jacking up the
> pinblock from the keybed, and tightening all those hard-to-access pinblock
> lags. It does make a difference.
>
> In summary, I don't think personal ideology is going to win over
> manufacturing expediency and track records on this issue. By now, there are
> millions of pianos out there, with gaps, and of assorted denominations and
> ethnic backgrounds, that have (and are) providing long and useful service
> lives. Paradoxically, these pianos would fail the feeler gauge test in a
> heartbeat.
>
> Jim have I got a gap for you Harvey
> PS: Conrad, if you're reading this, please acknowledge my order for the UPS
> brown, industrial grade flame suit. The check's in the mail.
>
>
> At 10:15 PM 3/19/99 -0600, Stan wrote:
> [intro cut]
>>When brought to Yamaha's attention, the official factory response was that
>>the gap was "within tolerance".  Is there such a tolerance for pinblock
>>fit?  To me, it either contacts the flange or it doesn't.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of pianotech-digest V1997 #1556
> ***********************************
>


--
----------------------------------
Edward E. Swenson
Pianos and Fortepianos
http://www.clarityconnect.com/webpages4/piano/
11 Congress St.  P.O. Box 634
Trumansburg, NY 14886-0634   USA
607-387-6650  FAX:  607-387-3905


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