Horrible example

[Les Smith]

Gee, Conrad, from the way you describe it, are you sure that the piano
was really rebuilt? It sounds like the typical, unrestored, original-
condition Brambach grands encountered in the field all the time. :)
Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net

On Mon, 17 Nov 1997, Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:

> Here's a little fluff for your day.
> 
> The following are results of inspection at chapter meeting and recent
> teardown of 4'9" /1,45m Brambach (pos) pso of unknown age.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> You know your pso has been rebuilt by an expert when...
> 
> Top sections of hammers have been replaced but not the bass section.
> 
> Hammers usually strike at least two of three strings in any given trichord
> unison.
> 
> Hammershanks protrude through most (replaced) hammers 2 or 3 mm, those that
> don't are short by a similar amount.
> 
> Una corda pedal doesn't shift action because both lyre screws and one leg
> screw extend into keyframe.
> 
> Understring felt not replaced, but rather is covered by nameboard felt.
> 
> Keys show no evidence of rebushing.
> 
> Damper wires have some curious bends.
> 
> Strings #3 and 4 go to the wrong tuning pins.
> 
> Some pins at 5-10° toward bridge. Others angle left or right.
> 
> Many pins show 8-10 mm thread above the plate.
> 
> Bottom of pinblock shows most tuning pins poking through, and those you
> can't see are hidden by splintered bottom ply.
> 
> Pinblock ends floating 8-10mm above inner rim.
> 
> Plate webbing split throughout bass pin area.
> 
> Pinblock fit "improved" by inserting 8mm thick pine wedge at notch, and
> using up to 8mm thick application of "Plastic Wood" between it and flange.
> Some of that application oozed up to 2mm thick on top of plank.
> 
> Several plate screws bent by string tension.
> 
> One plate screwhole so close to edge it looks like a "cut-away  view".
> 
> Have not thrown scale numbers into computer yet, but 14 unisons of 17 ga and
> 20 unisons of 13 ga., with no 13 1/2 or 14, will probably produce an
> interesting graph.
> 
> Conrad Hoffsommer		Office - (319) 387-1204
> Acoustic Keyboard Technician	hoffsoco@martin.luther.edu
> Luther College 			pno2ner@salamander.com
> 700 College Drive			Quod capita tot sensus.
> Decorah, Ia 52101
> 
>