1974 M & H B

[Tim Coates]

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Hi Ed,

I did some checking to make sure I have my facts straight.  Tim Geinert 
(Certified Wapin Installer) did a 70's MHBB like you are talking about. 
 He didn't do anything to the plate as you are talking.  He says the 
tuning control is all right, but not wonderful in that area.  He used 
Wally Brooks' thinned shanks, would recommend Ronson hammers (not what 
he put on), and installed Wapin.  The piano is at a music school and now 
is considered the best piano they have.  I am going to see the piano 
tomorrow.  If you want to talk with  Tim I can get you his email address.  

He gave me a good bit of advice about some of the 1970's Mason & 
Hamlins:  watch out for the pinblock.  Not ALL are  glued and doweled. 
 This MHBB had a free floating pinblock.  It turned out the last MHA I 
did from the 1930's had the same thing.   You can wedge and glue the 
pinblock to the stretcher to hold it in place as the plate comes out.

Contact me if you want his email address.  His home number is in the 
directory.

Tim Coates
Wapin Company LLP 

Ed Sutton wrote:

> Dear List-
>     Has anyone on the list had experience rebuilding big M & H's of 
> 1970's vintage.
>     A piano teacher has a 1974 B in need of serious rebuilding or 
> replacement. 
>     The action will need redesigning (there is nothing left of the old 
> M & H action design) , it needs a new pinblock and probably wapin 
> bridge pinning. 
>     The front bearing is ridiculously steep.  Hell to tune and ugly, 
> too. I'm wondering if I can grind away some of the plate or bearing 
> bars to reduce it.
>     The agraffes stop at G#3.  I don't think this was the original B 
> plate design, was it?
>     Despite what amounts to a rape of a once wonderful design, there 
> is still something magic in the sound of this instrument.
>     If I do every good thing we can do for a piano, will it be a 
> stable, dependable instrument, or will the problems start just to the 
> other side of where I stop?
>     I'd appreciate any words of wisdom and experience.
>         Ed Sutton



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