Pianotech

  • 1.  Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-19-2018 03:08
    In a previous post I showed pictures of an unusual Kimball upright balance rail. 

    I had an opportunity to return to this piano and took pictures of the entire key system and the assembled piano.

    It is still a shame that, if very lucky it will go through an antique shop and may yet see some restoration but ultimately, this piano will probably be discarded.

    The front rail rattles badly (sounds like a handful of pencils) but refelting it would be an interesting and simple project, probably much less work than rebushing a set of keys.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 2.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-19-2018 06:36
    Thanks for taking the time Blaine.  I found your images to be quite interesting.  It looks like the motif of about 1890 to 1900. If it ends up being landfill fodder then let's hope someone saves the front panel.

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    Larry Fisher
    Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
    Vancouver WA
    360-256-2999
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  • 3.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-19-2018 18:35
    Highly interesting. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 4.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-19-2018 23:04
    Thank you Blaine. The key noises would be increased by the thin strip of wood serving as the guide. They are light enough to easily vibrate.

    Do I owe you anything for the service call?
    Ed

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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  • 5.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-20-2018 01:28
    In 2008 I worked on a piano with this setup. I installed new hammers, keytops, replaced the back and balance punchings. Refelted the guide strips and did a reasonably normal regulation. As weird as it looks, I seem to remember it worked as well as any. The screws in the front rail worked well, and I'm sure some pencil pusher thought they saved money not using paper <sarcasm>. 

    The daughter who played it was a senior in high school, so of course I haven't seen it since.

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    David Stocker, RPT
    PNWRVP
    Olympia WA
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  • 6.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-21-2018 18:33
    Interesting design. Makes for stronger keys, and saves a lot of work making the keys (drill three holes rather than make a complex mortise with a button, and another oblong mortise). Keys come out easier. A lot of pluses, but a little difficult to ease the bushings if that is needed. Amazing how many solutions there are, when it comes to a simple lever pivoting on a fixed fulcrum.

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    Fred Sturm
    University of New Mexico
    fssturm@unm.edu
    http://fredsturm.net
    http://www.artoftuning.com
    "We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda
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  • 7.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-21-2018 18:41
    Yes, but it is amazing how many problems can arise from a simple solution.




  • 8.  RE: Unusual Kimbal Front and Balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-21-2018 18:41
    I've also come across one of these, which also rattled (front rail.) I offered to "rebush" by replacing the cloth in the slots, which would have been easy and kind of fun. So far, no interest in hiring me to do it.

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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