[CAUT] Bluthner Patent Action

[Richard Brekne]

In reference to the instructions given on the following website:
http://www.bluthner.co.uk/bluthner/setup.html

This set of instructions is found in several places around the web and 
no doubt has just been copied from one place to the other without anyone 
actually taking a solid look at what is actually written here. Several 
key errors are apparent quickly at casual observations.  For the 
first... the opening line that the numbers on the diagram pointing to 
different parts related to the numbered points of regulation below is 
faulty.  Several points on the diagram have nothing in common with the 
corresponding points in the regulation instructions. Take number 6 for 
example.  Tell me that the hammer rest rail has something to do with the 
directions for setting drop !.   Points 8 and 9 on the list have nothing 
to do with the diagram either. Point 5 on the list is about checks and 5 
on the diagram points to the hammer shank. Point 4 describing something 
refered to as "Touch" is so vague its absurd really.  It ends up this is 
actually a reference to key dip in a sense not usually associated with 
the Erard roller action.

Clearly the picture was taken at from action parts illustration 
somewhere and plasked together with a hokey set of very basic instructs 
on how to regulate the Bluthner. Seems to me we could do better then 
this.  For example... no where is part number 8 described anywhere... 
how much tension should be on the spring etc. Nor is the exact function 
of the leather button on the coiled spring (illust # 10).  It should be 
made clear to folks that the only reason why Checks should be done 
before setting drop with the rep-spring (illust # 9) is to assure the 
hammer tail doesn't check the hammer and confuse the regulation of drop. 
One could just as easily push the check back out of the way, do the drop 
regulation and then regulate back checks. Seems to me like setting the 
drop to 3 mm is really the wrong way of putting it. In reality the 
hammer should drop on a very slow test motion after letoff, fall onto 
the repspring which is just barely strong enough to carry it (the 
hammer) upwards with further depression of the key... only a very slight 
rise mind you. Much like the rise in an aftertouch action. The 3 mm bit 
comes rather automatically if this is done. Another point on point 4 on 
the list... touch. Read the sentence and think about it and tell me this 
makes any sense at all. Is this set of instructions trying to tell the 
world that the Erard action should see the jack under the roller when 
the key is barely in contact with the front punching ???.

So.... I'm going to start on a re-work of this whole thing.  Anyone with 
insights into the patent action would be very kind indeed to share them 
with me. There are a fair amount of the Patent Actions out there and  
IMB they were fast as lightning and quite nice to play on when regulated 
well. Might be a nice service to the piano tech world to put these set 
of directions right... and get the confusing presently available ones to 
rest where they belong.

Cheers
RicB