----- Original Message ----- From: <JIMRPT@AOL.COM> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: March 21, 2002 7:36 AM Subject: open face block > Hey y'all... > I just saw an 1870 something Knabe, rosewood case, very well > restored/rebuilt. An unusual feature of the rewhatevering was the use of a > bare pinblock. The block was face angled to match the plate and all of the > layers of the block are visible where the angle cuts across the various > layers.........actually not unattractive! > Question???....Is there anything wrong with using a 'bare' block like > this?....In other words any negative thoughts as to future viability of > appearance? While the more 'traditional' approach would have been to use an > exoctic veneer facing of some sort this particular configuration doesn't look > bad...any downside(s)??? > Jim Bryant (FL) Jim, I've done this several times--a couple of flat-strung Chickerings come to mind--and can't find (or see) anything wrong with the practice. I used Delignit because of the relatively thing laminations and then used the glue line to help me establish a bevel angle as the pinblock curved around to follow the agraffe line. To help tie things together I painted on a couple of coats of System Three Coating Epoxy which is quite thin and saturates rather deeply into the wood surface; especially into the end-grain. My theory was that if the thing was going to create a problem it would be there. The pinblocks drilled nicely and strung nicely as well. I also like the nice veneer over the open face block, but some of these things prevent a real challenge with the various compound curves. More than one I've encountered was simply painted gold from the factory. As you indicate, it does give a interesting look. I rather like it. Del
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