Bleuthner, history of piano tuners/technicians

[Dennis Johnson]

At  1:30 PM 10/21/94 -0600, Ron Torrella wrote:
>I've been asked to consider restringing and doing some action work (hammer
>and hammershank/flange replacement) on a 1903 Bleuthner (#64301). .......

....Ron:
        Naturally, it is often a tough call with these unusual older
pianos, especially if you are not replacing the board.  I happen to be in
the process of replacing the whole action for a 1910 Beckstein, and I would
bet that this one and yours have the same actions.  The new Renner shank
and flange will fit great, and the new wippen is correct except for the
flange which you will have to either modify or replace with the old ones
and use them if they are ok.  I do recommend that on such an old instrument
either replace everything or nothing.  For the customer, the only
difference in cost is the cost of the parts because the labor will be about
the same, but the result is far superior.  I also doubt that you will be
able to find hammers the correct size as these were usually longer, about 3
1/8" length in the treble.  I had to buy hammers with NO moulding shape at
all, just blocks 3 5/8" long, than cut them down to proper size.  Lloyd
Meyer can help you with these parts.
>
>Tied strings!  YIKES!  Anyone have a jig that'll make that work less
>taxing on the fingers?


        It really is not that bad doing the common double loop tie found on
many European grands, I did a concert Grotrian a few years ago and it only
took a little extra time.
>
>Also, I wonder if there are any scholarly (or even attempts at it)
>publications on the history of the piano tuner/technician--as in the
>human being, not the machine.  Seems like I saw something approaching
>scholarship in the Journal once upon a time.  I've been asked so many
>times about the subject that I guess it's time I broke down and did some
>studying!  All leads to that material will be appreciated.  (My own
>search in our library didn't turn up much of anything.)
>
        This is an area where much work needs to be done.  But there is
material out there, just not conviently put together like Owen's new Tuning
book.  You must wade through many, many sources; something I have been at
for about 4-5 years now, part-time, of course.  Unfortunately, almost all
of these sources have been written by non-technicians.  This is one of the
great values of Owen's work.  I could try to put together a list for you
but the back of Owen's new book has about the bibliography you'll ever
find.  I would start with as much of Ellis's work as you can handle (the
print is very small), but don't forget A. Hippkins' famous book from the
late 19th century, and there is also a very good History of Broadwood's by
David Wainright, Quiller Press LTD, 1982.
        I hope that is helpful, but these immediately came to mind.



Dennis Johnson
St. Olaf College
johnsond@stolaf.edu