On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 12:45 PM, paul bruesch <paul at bruesch.net> wrote: > I tuned an old upright by Conover this morning, serial number 9880, which > places manufacture date in late 1880's. > > One thing I found rather remarkable about it (besides the remarkably loose > pins!) was the action. I noticed there were NO bridle tapes at all. Further > inspection revealed 1877 and 1878 patents by Wessell, Nickel, & Gross, and a > rather "catchy" (if you will) hook on top of the jack which projects into a > hold in the rear of the hammer butt. > > Of course I pulled out my camera to take a photo. Of course, the battery > was dead. > > I will probably be re-visiting the piano in May or June so I'll get photos > then... but meantime, how widely was this action used? Any issues? I didn't > have to pull the action, so I can't honestly speak to its efficacy. Anyone? > > Paul Bruesch > Stillwater, MN > > I recall tuning a piano with an action similar to what you are describing years ago, if I recall correctly it was a Cable. I currently have an action in my shop from an 1875 straight strung bass upright that I restrung for a customer. I'm "rebuilding" the birdseyes in the double sided flanges. The action from that one also has no bridle tapes but instead a small L shaped hook on the bottom of the hammer butt that protrudes through a window in the jack. When the note is played the hook catches on the felt lined top of the window to assist the hammer in returning to rest as the whippen drops back into place. Mike -- I intend to live forever. So far, so good. Steven Wright Michael Magness Magness Piano Service 608-786-4404 www.IFixPianos.com email mike at ifixpianos.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100127/43d8a644/attachment.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC