servicing my brother's recently acquired Broadwood "cottage" grand, circa 1858. after a thorough cleaning and general inspection, I began the delicate task of tuning (to A435). Straight strung and all strings single strung as well. As I started, my brother read a little warning decal that surprisingly was still intact. It warned to "the piano tuner", "DO NOT HAMMER LOOSE TUNING PINS!" I was expecting it to continue.."WITHOUT FIRST SUPPORTING PINBLOCK!" But it didn't. Not sure exactly what was meant, I commenced tuning. Many of the oblong pins were so loose, they could in no way hold even the slightest amount of tension, so I removed the becket from one pin, removed it, and then I realized the reason for the warning...the pins were actually threaded like a machine screw! Earlier, I had pulled the action and noticed the decent condition of the pinblock from underneath, and figured maybe some CA glue would tighten the pins, at least for a while. So I asked my self, "what's the deal?" You can't use a larger tining pin, because the plate tuning pin holes are threaded a good 1/2" deep, and will NOT take a larger thread. So what can be done short of replacing the pin block, which I assume is what's holding the last half of the pin snug? Shim it with sandpaper? Anyone else have experience with this weird kind of pin? Wonder if it's related to the "screw stringer". Terry Peterson _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
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