[pianotech] Brumbach Rebuild

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Mike:
	I'll do that as soon as I can locate my weights.  What is the best method
to measure the action ratio?  
	Paul


> [Original Message]
> From: Mike Spalding <mike.spalding1 at frontier.com>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 11/01/2010 1:48:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Brumbach Rebuild
>
> Paul,
>
> If you haven't done it already, measure the down weight, up weight, and 
> action ratio, and let us know what they are.
>
> thanks
>
> Mike
>
> On 11/1/2010 2:58 PM, Paul McCloud wrote:
> >
> > Hi, Friends:
> >     I've got a Brumbach action that someone rebuilt some years ago.  
> > The pear shaped knuckles are now the standard type, and new hammers, 
> > shanks and whippens are fitted.  The capstans are relocated closer to 
> > the balance rail.  The customer's complaint is that some of the keys 
> > are sluggish to return.  After removing the action, I discovered that 
> > jiffy weights are mounted under the keysticks just behind the front 
> > rail.  This is in addition to the leads in the keys.  As it is, the 
> > keys play ok except for a few in the bass which is where the 
> > troublesome notes are.  What I'm seeing in the action setup is that 
> > the capstans are set too high.  The top of the capstans is above the 
> > "magic line".  If you observe the capstan/heel contact point, you can 
> > see quite a bit of sliding as you press the key.  Since I am not 
> > normally set up to rebuild actions and do all of the balancing work, I 
> > wondered if someone could ex plain how I would go about rectifying 
> > this action.  My instinct tells me that the heel should be 
> > taller/longer, and the capstan lowered so that they meet at a point on 
> > the "line".  What I don't know is if this will solve the problem or 
> > just lead me down a blind alley with more problems awaiting.  I don't 
> > have downweight/upweight measurements because I misplaced my gram 
> > weights somewhere.    I also noticed that the jack and knuckle are at 
> > a bit more of an angle than I'd like to see.  I wish I had the parts 
> > kit from Renner or Tokiwa to try some different combinations.
> >         Interesting that this piano belonged to the late John Lennon, 
> > and he wrote "Imagine" on it.  The owner says John purchased it in New 
> > York.  I'm not sure if the work was done before John purchased it, or 
> > later.
> >     Any suggestions or advice are much appreciated.  I do have more 
> > photos if needed.
> >     Paul McCloud
> >     San Diego
> > pmc033 at earthlink.net <mailto:pmc033 at earthlink.net>
> > EarthLink Revolves Around You.