Fortepiano pinblock material

[Ed Sutton]

Hi Ron-
    Thanks for your thoughts.
    The rim and belly are doing well.  They are under compression, and well
braced. The pinblock bows in the center, because there is no support. Later
instruments had metal gap spacers to the belly rail.  There's no room to add
them in this instrument.  If the new pinblock doesn't give at all, perhaps
there would be more stress on the sides of the case.
    I do think it would be better to return to the original scale unless
there is historical evidence for the higher tension scale.  I'm not sure how
I could research this.
    I know Delignit isn't a historic material.  From what I understand, this
particular model is not held in high esteem by current fortepianists.  It's
owner would ideally replace it with something more historically up-to-date,
but can't afford it.  The original builder of this instrument, who is now a
top name in the field, refuses to repair it, as it is below his current
standards of authenticity.  So, if I can make it work again, I can live with
the loss of authenticity.
    I think if stiffer pinblock material makes a difference, it would
increase power and sustain a little, probably not very much in this
instrument.
        Ed

----------
>From: "Ron Torrella" <rontorrella@yahoo.com>
>To: <caut@ptg.org>
>Subject: RE: Fortepiano pinblock material
>Date: Mon, Mar 25, 2002, 4:59 AM
>

> Gee, won't you be changing the timbre of the instrument, again (on top of
> the change that resulted from the increased string tension), by putting in a
> stiffer pinblock?
>
> Has there been any other collateral damage from the increase in tension?
> (separations at the rim, etc.) Seems to me that, if you make the pinblock
> stiffer, you're going to have problems elsewhere.
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-caut@ptg.org [mailto:owner-caut@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Ed
>> Sutton
>> Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 10:20 PM
>> To: caut@ptg.org
>> Subject: Fortepiano pinblock material
>>
>>
>> Dear List-
>>     I'm replacing the pinblock in a 1970's Zuckermann "Stein" Fortepiano.
>> In the 1980's the string scale tension was increased at the direction of
>> David Way, owner of Zuckermann Harpsichords.  The pinblock began
>> to warp and
>> the instrument is now unplayable.
>>     First, I'm curious if anyone else has run into this, since this is a
>> rather common instrument.  The owner has a xeroxed scale from Way, which
>> makes me wonder if he had decided to rescale this model at a
>> higher tension,
>> and how many other instruments have warped pinblocks.  I also
>> wonder if the
>> same problem has occured with the lower tension original scale.  The
>> original had .016" wire on the highest notes; the rescale had
>> .018" wire on
>> the highest notes.
>>     Second, I'm wondering what material to use in the new pinblock.  It is
>> supported at the ends only, no gap spacers.  The original appears to be
>> solid beech.  Wouldn't Delignit or Falconwood be a stiffer material?
>> Bolduc's 5 ply pinblock would be delightful to work with, but I fear it
>> wouldn't be stiff enough. Or I could just use solid beech and
>> hope it lasts
>> a few decades.
>>     I haven't decided whether to return to the original scale.  That is my
>> inclination, but the owner states the instrument sounded better
>> with the new
>> scale.
>>     I thank you in advance for your suggestions.
>>         Ed Sutton
>
>
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