Dekalb deregulation

[Lawrence A. Gardner]

Just my luck.  I know, Dekalb = Wurltizer.

Anyway, if you believe the number written in ball point pen on the plate, it's a
1918  4? foot grand.  Yes, it's been "rebuilt."

In this case rebuilt means new hammers on old shanks with the old style knuckles
that were part of the shank.  It has new strings and dampers and was decently
refinished.

I managed to get the damper wires away from the bass strings so they wouldn't
buzz on forte or louder and evened out the damper lift.  Then I decided to check
the hammer blow distance etc.  The first hammer I checked was a little wide of
1-3/4 inches, then the rest seem to be around 1-5/8".  The aftertouch seemed too
big on the naturals (and too shalow on the sharps).  I got out my  regulation
book, and found Wurlitzer and it seems as if the hammer blow should be 1-7/8".
Not knowing what kind of mess I might get into, I left the hammer blow distance
alone, since I figured there may have been a good reason it was at those funny
dimensions.  (like screwed up hammer boring?).

Since I noticed some hammers blocking, I went ahead and adjusted the letoff on
all 88 notes, and since I noticed some excessive(!) drop I then pulled the
action to regulate it.  Low and behold, on most of the notes the drop screw was
already as high as it would go against the flange.

Does anyone know the proper regulating dimensions of this piano?  What are the
implications of the drop screws being turned up all the way and there still
being excessive drop?  I might add that these seem to be original action parts,
except for the hammers.

I tried to suggest a new piano to the owners, however, they have a sentimental
attachment to the Dekalb.  Unfortunately, they sometimes entertain with fine
pianists performing at their home.

Thanks for your thoughts and comments

Larry Gardner, RPT