Hi Dennis   Thanks for posting.  Keep me in that loop about how those parts turn out as I may need to remedy these extensively. Dale <div style="clear:both">Dale Erwin R.P.T. Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc. Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S. pianos www.Erwinspiano.com Phone: 209-577-8397 <tt><tt>     </tt></tt> </div> <div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message----- From: Dennis Johnson <johnsond@stolaf.edu> To: caut <caut@ptg.org> Sent: Wed, Jul 25, 2012 1:41 pm Subject: Re: [CAUT] Mason & Hamlin issues <div id="AOLMsgPart_1_6140a9f2-fccd-4b97-989f-9bb3f46197a9"> Hi- Yes, similar experiences with this vintage M&H. Not so much with drop screws as you mention but certainly all other pinning problems.  Breaking news....   Renner USA now has available replacement shanks and flanges for these.  Lloyd told me they are a copy of the Falcone flange.  We had a set on order for some time and they finally arrived this week.  Installing them today.  I'm not certain if whippens are available yet though.  We're anxious to see how they satisfy with new parts, different hammers and good key work.  I also decided to restring the treble and replace drill rod strings rests with solid brass.  I'm convinced that will significantly improve tuning ease and stability.    best, Dennis Johnson St. Olaf College _______________________ <div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 8:59 PM, Dale Erwin <<a href="mailto:erwinspiano@aol.com">erwinspiano@aol.com</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"> <div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica"> <div>   While preparing pianos for a summer event at the nearby Cal State University I discovered an issue on a relatively new Mason & Hamlin As. (10 yrs old)The drop screws had worked out of 2 of the flanges. 1 dropped into the action the other so far down the rep lever was constantly engaged, Heavy feel, leaving the notes unplayable. Other had center pins working out the side. The factory hammers quite hard. The newer model BB (10 ish) was basically being ignored as nobody liked the sounds it emitted even though I had voiced it prior. It had a ring time at B-5 of 3 seconds ,all in all done....and C-6 not much better. Recently I changed out the factory hammers for Ronsen Weickert. The ring time hasn't improved but its at least producing whats there with character and it blends better  The comments  after the hammer transplant were... Its like a new piano... and... now we can schedule events in that room. I dislike the piano before and yes, I like it. Sounds like a musical instrument.  Anyone else having issues with the newer M & H. I really hate to say it but, its beautiful girl but its not the same glorious girl as the old ones Anyway, comments, experiences welcome. Dale <div style="clear:both">Dale Erwin R.P.T. Sitka soundboard panels <a target="_blank" href="http://www.Erwinspiano.com">www.Erwinspiano.com</a> Phone: <a value="+12095778397">209-577-8397</a> <tt><tt>     </tt></tt> </div> </div> </div> </blockquote></div> </div>  </div>