Chickering console

[Richard Morgan]

Here's an interesting problem:  a 1958-59 Chickering console presented with a non-functioning sustain pedal.  Upon opening the piano, I noticed the right-hand side of the action would rise when the pedal was pressed.  Removing the action revealed that the sticker/action rail was split, probably for about 10 inches, and probably (according to the church's choir director) from too-aggressive pedalling.

Without removing dampers/wippens for better access, I think I can inject (very carefully, to avoid squeeze-out!) into the length of the split, use a c-clamp around the top of the rail and the wippen flanges (again, very carefully, to close the split without putting too much pressure on, and perhaps using a paint stick or some such between the clamp and the wippen flanges to distribute the pressure), then use a 4x3/4 screw in the available right end, to mechanically close the split, along with the glue.  I wish there were room to put in another screw. . .

Without removing parts, which I don't really want to do, and which would turn it into a bigger job than the church will be willing to contemplate (or am I being foolish?), this is all I can come up with.  The choir director is really interested in buying a grand for the sanctuary, so is not really interested in spending much.  Otherwise this piano is in really good condition, and seems like a pretty decent specimen.

So, what do you think?  Will this be an effective repair?  Should I just bite the bullet and take some parts off for better access?  What would be the prognosis for any kind of repair for this problem?  

I'm thinking of charging for a 3-4 hour job, including today's visit.

Thanks for your advice.

Richard Morgan


       
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