expanding brackets revisited

[Don Mannino]

Jeannie,

 

The old "pot metal" brackets have been an issue for a long time, and I know
I searched hard to find suitable replacements for a piano I was working on
in the early 80s.  The ones I saw did not usually grow in quite the same way
as the YC brackets, but tended to crumble pretty quickly.  The YC brackets
tend to swell gradually, not failing and cracking apart for a long time.

 

This is a type of oxidation problem, and the environment does affect it.  So
if a piano is moved to a more humid place, especially an island with salt
water surrounding it (!!)  that could be a contributing factor to why the
piano remained functional for so long, then started to cause problems.

 

Don Mannino

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Jeannie Grassi
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 5:55 PM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: expanding brackets revisited

 

Hello everyone,

I know there has been much previous discussion in the past about expanding
grand action brackets, particularly on Young Changs.  However, I have been
finding the problem on some low end older American-made pianos. I'm curious
as to how many of you have encountered these and am wondering if we might
collectively be able to put a list together of some of the brands of pianos
that used these types of brackets.  I've encountered 2 in as many months:
Haines and Story & Clark.  

 

I'm also curious why this problem would be occurring in these pianos that
have been functioning, albeit marginally, for all these years.  Why did they
all of a sudden seem to take a dive for the worst after so long?  Neither of
these pianos is worth a big fix, so remanufacturing the brackets would cost
more than the pianos would be worth.  I'm just wondering if I might
encounter a lot more of this phenomenon as these depression era pianos turn
a certain age.

 

Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks to you all for sharing.

jeannie

 

 

Jeannie Grassi, RPT

Registered Member PIano Technicians Guild

Bainbridge Island, WA

206-842-3721

 <mailto:jcgrassi at earthlink.net> jcgrassi at earthlink.net

 

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