1974 M & H B

[Ed Sutton]

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Hi, Tim!
This is encouraging. The loose pinblock is no surprise.  It will sound =
better with a fitted and glued block.
I do wonder how they managed to get so many tuning pins jammed in such a =
tight place in such a big piano.
Ed
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Tim Coates=20
  To: College and University Technicians=20
  Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 9:46 PM
  Subject: Re: 1974 M & H B


  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. =20

  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.=20

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

  Tim Coates
  Wapin Company LLP =20

  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. =20
        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. =20
        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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