[pianotech] Brambach Action - was Odd wippen

[David Ilvedson]

Just don't send the old parts until your done... '-]

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Denise Rachel" <pp-ff at verizon.net>
To: joegarrett at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/26/2010 11:39:18 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Brambach Action - was Odd wippen


>Hey guys,

>Has anyone read the post I put up   ?     It's pretty interesting  --   
>I believe I was the first to chime in on this thread.

>I am going through this identical problem right now.  It is not the  
>whippen that is the problem.  Replacements are available
>that match in all the right places.  (ends of jack and centers).  The  
>problem is getting a hammer shank assembly that will work.
>I believe that I have that one figured out, too, with a modification  
>of the hammer rail.  I will do that modification on #88 just to prove  
>it will work before I do the rest of the action.

>If it works,  I will have 88 unbroken replacements for you   . . .  .  
>William . . . . and you may as well take all the shanks, too.

>Hope it works  --

>Denise

>On Jan 26, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Joseph Garrett wrote:

>> William,
>> It may be possible to use the WNG stuff. However, you need to know  
>> that the overall length of the wippen assembly is much shorter than  
>> most "standard" wippens that are available available from any  
>> source. So, it would appear that a need for new action brackets/ 
>> rails and such would be required.
>> One item in the WNG package that I would never use is their "Hammer  
>> Shanks"!@! Their concept of a shank that has Zero Flex is not in  
>> keeping with the way an action repeats, IMHO!! If you doubt that,  
>> put a standard marimba mallet head on a piece of steel and see what  
>> kind of tone it produces!!<G>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>> Captain, Tool Police
>> Squares R I
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: William Truitt
>> To: joegarrett at earthlink.net;pianotech at ptg.org
>> Sent: 1/25/10 3:12:08 PM
>> Subject: RE: [pianotech] Brambach Action - was Odd wippen
>>
>> I was thinking Brambach too.   I regulated one about a dozen or so  
>> years ago.  Could this be a candidate for the WNG composite modular  
>> whippens if need be?
>>
>> Will Truitt
>>
>> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]  
>> On Behalf Of Joseph Garrett
>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 5:57 PM
>> To: pianotech
>> Subject: [pianotech] Brambach Action - was Odd wippen
>>
>> William said: "
>> Don't really know. The action came out of a piano in an attempt to
>> "make it work" again. A previous technician enjoyed "re-whatevering"
>> the thing to death. The person managed to install a new pinblock
>> without coving the front edge, so the fallboard can't open/close.
>> Well, OK, it can, but you have to unscrew the cheek blocks and remove
>> the fallboard to perform said action. I managed to remove enough
>> material to get THAT working again. And yes, it appears the previous
>> person really had fun hanging new hammers. Maybe he did it in situ.
>> That would explain the glue globs on top of all the key end felts.
>>
>> There were no names/serial numbers anywhere on the piano that I could
>> find. Nothing on the plate, soundboard, fallboard, action, etc.
>> Here's a couple other photos of the action, too.
>>
>>
>> Any other regulatory suggestions welcomed. Thanks for the help so  
>> far...."
>>
>> William,
>> Definately a Brambach! (It may have had a different name on the name  
>> board, but was made by Brambach). Bolster the "knuckles" with key  
>> bushing cloth, as the leather needs to be taunt and slightly  
>> rounded. Align the jacks as I previously mentioned. The rest is  
>> pretty much standard regulation practices. Approx. 3/8" dip was on  
>> the original action. However, with the basic "can of worms" you are  
>> dealing with, ....lotsaluck....whatever works will suffice. These  
>> actions can be quite nice when they are set up correctly. As I said,  
>> I own one. A 5'1" POS/PSO, that has it's own Anvil Case.<G> I have  
>> rented it out for lots of Community type Concerts In The Park  
>> thingees. Most pianists were pleasantly surprised at my little  
>> PSO.<G> It's painted White, since the original case/furniture was  
>> pretty trashed by the R&R Band that toted it all over the  
>> country.<G> (Long Sto ry)
>> Still has it's original plain wire scale and "painted gold  
>> soundboard".<G> Bass strings were replaced, but didn't help much as  
>> the backscale is real short. Good luck on the repairs, it is  
>> possible to make it a viable piano.<G>
>> Regards,
>> Joe
>>
>>
>> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>> Captain, Tool Police
>> Squares R I
>>
>>