Or, has anyone tried retrofitting, >putting a small hinge in the piece so the wood doesn't need to flex at >all? It looks to me like this might work and should have been done in >the first place. Manufacturers have come up with better systems since >this piano was built 74 years ago. > >Regards, >Clyde Hollinger Hi Clyde, You could replace it with a more modern configuration. A new lever of the same overall length as the old one to maintain the leverage proportions (if they worked OK), and couple of blocks on either side, screwed to the keybed, with a hinge pin through. You'd have to install a coil or leaf spring, which would require counter boring, leather, etc. Or you could maybe re-use the old part and install a spring across the break. If there's enough wood there to hold the screws, that would minimize the design hassles and woodwork and get it working with minimum angst. Cutting a replacement out of pretty straight grained maple would be another alternative if you have a bandsaw. It's mostly a matter of how much time, trouble, and expense you want to go to. Ron N
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