Bechstein restoration

[Farrell]

Most American Walnut ranges from light to medium-dark brown. Wood that has
been finished previously often retains some of the stain/color. Also,
depending on your stripping techniques, some or much of the former
stain/color can remain even though the wood looks pretty clean. So, perhaps
this is walnut darkened by the ebony finish. Additionally, wood that is not
stained (with walnut being among these) commonly does not have much/any
contrast in grain color - that only developes after staining. My first
college degree was in forestry - my wood identification is pretty good, and
I certainly know walnut when I see it! By all means get the clearest picture
you can of some stripped wood and send it to me. I'll let you know. (send it
directly to me rather than the pianotec list because it will goof up some
computers)

WOW! Gotta go now. The sky is black here in Tampa Bay, thunder is roaring,
and from what I hear, we got us a hurricane on its way. If ya'll don't hear
from anyone in west Florida for a week of so, you'll know why!

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Calin Tantareanu" <dnu@fx.ro>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2000 3:57 AM
Subject: Re: Bechstein restoration


> Hi Terry!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2000 11:58 PM
> Subject: Re: Bechstein restoration
>
>
> > What "fiber"? The grain? If you don't see grain, it likely is not
walnut.
>
> Yes, the grain. i mean, there is grain, but the pattern isn't showing a
lot.
> Unlike usual walnut, which has the lighter brown with darker markings,
this
> veneer is a dark brown (like coffee) and the grain is not very visible.
>
> The man said it's not usual walnut, but "american walnut". I have no idea
> what that could be.
> I can send you a picture of the cleaned keyboard lid if you want.
>
> > Two things come to mind. If you will not be using a dark stain, be sure
to
> > get all the black out of the walnut (or whatever kind of wood you have)
> > grain - whever it is left, it will be darker. A solution to this
potential
>
> As i told you, there is grain, but it's not very contrasting. The
background
> is a drak brown already.
>
> > problem is to fill the grain with black filler and have a
high-contrasting
> > grain finish. A second thing is just to carfully examine the veneers
after
> > stripping. Some manufacturers will use poor appearance or not-optimally
> > matching veneers on an factory ebony piano. Just check 'em out close &
> make
> > sure you like them.
>
> I know, but till now (we haven't finished stripping) the veneer looks
good.
> We'll see.
>
>
> __________________________
> Calin
> http://calintantareanu.tripod.com
> __________________________
>
>
>