<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: = John Minor <<A href="mailto:jminor@uiuc.edu">jminor@uiuc.edu</A>><BR>To: <A = href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A> <<A href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A>><BR>Date: Wednesday, = June 30, 1999 11:42 AM<BR>Subject: Restringing Baldwin<BR><BR></DIV> <DIV></FONT>>I'm getting ready to restring a Baldwin L and would like = to know how to<BR>>set the new wires on that accu-just (or whatever!) hitch = pin. In 21 years<BR>>I've not had the pleasure of restringing one of these!!<BR>><BR>>John Minor <BR>>University of Illinois<BR>><BR>------------------------------------</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"></FONT>John,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The following is from one of my handouts on Downbearing.  It = is not specifically aimed at Baldwin pianos -- we use vertical hitch pins on a = lot of pianos besides Baldwins -- but you might find the procedure = useful.  Note that you do not need a bubble gauge although one is useful to verify = your settings after the piano is strung and at pitch.  This procedure is = normally used with a chart listing the approximate downbearing = specifications that we recommend using with our soundboard and rib sets.  I've not = included the chart because the numbers wouldn't be applicable to the = piano you are restringing.  Use the downbearing specifications you would = normally use with a piano of this type, size and age.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Del</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>------------------------</DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">PROCEDURE #2.  FOR = PIANOS USING STRAIGHT VERTICAL HITCH PIN STRING TERMINATION, I.E., PIANOS  = WITH VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE STRING PLACEMENT POINTS. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><BR>1)  At each = scale point indicated in the following chart*, pass a taut cord or straight edge = from the V-bar (or agraffe hole) to the hitch pin panel parallel to the piano = string line. Lower the cord or straight edge over the hitch pin panel until it = just touches the bridge and one side of the appropriate hitch pin. <BR><EM>(Alternate)  For pianos not fitting the indicated pattern, = use the first, center and last unisons of each logical section. If the tenor = section is particularly long, one additional pin should be located in the center of = the section and used as if it were an end pin. </EM><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">2)  Make a small = mark on the hitch pin at the point of contact. <BR><EM>(Alternate)  Measure the = distance from either the top of the hitch pin or the top of the plate = surface to the point of contact and record this number. </EM><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">3)  From this point, = measure down the distance listed in the chart and place another small mark on = the hitch pin at that point. Repeat the process for each unison listed in the = chart. <BR><EM>(Alternate)  Subtract the distance listed in the chart and = record this number. </EM><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">4)  String the piano = and chip to pitch approximately one to two steps flat.  Don't worry too much = about the actual pitch of the strings or where they end up on the hitch pins = at this point.  Just make sure they do not rest on the plate.  You're = just applying enough tension to the strings so that they will stay in place = while you adjust them.<BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">5)  Adjust the = strings on each hitch pin to the marks made in Step #2. <BR><EM>(Alternate)  Adjust = the strings on each hitch pin to the elevations recorded in Step #3. </EM><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">6)  Level all = remaining strings to those set in Step #5, i.e., the strings of first and last = unisons of each sec-tion are used as guides for the rest of the strings within that = section. <BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">7)  Chip piano to = pitch. <BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"></FONT>8)  Verify = the downbearing settings with a bubble gauge if you have one = available.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><EM>*Refers to a = downbearing specification chart that is not included here.  These = specifications refer to the settings on hitchpins associated with the first, middle and last = unisons of each section.  Use your own judgement for the particular piano = you are restringing.</EM></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>