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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face="" size=3>Hi Rob. Yes this =
does look to be a
well made instrument and seems to have quite a lot of potential. =
Unlike
Steinway, there is almost no clearance between the pins and block. =
As the
owners seem committed to having the piano well restored, I will probably =
replace
the block. I'm not that keen on 3/0 pins anyway and would never go =
to
4/0.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face="" size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face="" size=3>Despite the bellows and =
motor cloth
having numerous holes, the player action still plays! The action =
also has
more features than most, such as themodist expression. So you =
could be
correct about it being a bit of a gem.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 face="" size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks for your advice.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2> <FONT
size=3>Stephen</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2><FONT =
size=3></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Rob Goodale wrote:</DIV>
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5px">
<P>Fischers were generally considered higher quality pianos in their =
day so
you might have a little gem of sorts here. It sounds like the
designers were following after the Steinway concept by having no
bushings. In such cases this typically means the stresses are =
focused
elsewhere rather than the typical arrangement. If it were me I =
would
avoid reaming the holes if at all possible. If so do it as =
little as
you can. If you do I would strongly suggest removing the plate =
since
even the slightest error in any drill stop would go into the =
block. If
you feel ambitious enough and the piano is a nice enough looking =
specimen
you might want to consider going all out and replacing the =
block. This
would allow you to use the original size pines as originally =
conceived.
<P>As far as Otto Higel player actions go, they were decent in their =
day but
a Standard could still run circles around them. Of course =
Standard
along with their chief competitor, Simplex, could out do just about =
anyone
with the possible exception of Gulbranson and Shultz.
<P>I rebuilt a later Otto Higel action about ten years ago. =
This was
the more common type with the huge valve chest with the pouches =
being little
unit pillow block thingys. If the Metanola action that you =
have is in
good shape then indeed you have something special. The die =
cast
material in those days rarely lasted unless the material just =
happened to be
a really good batch. If it has lasted this long I imagine it =
will last
forever.
<P>I guess the word of the day is to just "go slow".
<P>Good luck.
<P>Rob Goodale, RPT <BR>Las Vegas, NV
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