Pianotech

I have recently taken on a C.Bechstein upright, circa 1898, straight strung, under damper mechanism with rosewood cabinet.

Now I have read the following about theses pianos, "Models I to V (pre 1902) often need a new wrest-plank as the tuning pins go loose with central heating..."

I will be redoing the mechanism with new felt and material, replacing tuning pins, bass strings and steel wire strings with new, and will get the cabinet repolished.

I would like to know from folks who have experience with these pianos, what your opinion is what should be done with the pinblock.
The piano has a closed faced pinblock, and the original pin is a 6.9mm x 60mm and they are loose.

Does the frame have to come out in order to properly assess the block, or can the block be drilled for a bigger pin, check the fit with several tuning pin samples knocked into the bass, tenor and treble sections, and if all feels ok, then all should be ok?, or, is it best to take out the frame, assess, and if the block does not look good, route out the tuning pin fields, expoxy & screw inserts?

Your expert advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Original Message------

I have recently taken on a C.Bechstein upright, circa 1898, straight strung, under damper mechanism with rosewood cabinet.

Now I have read the following about theses pianos, "Models I to V (pre 1902) often need a new wrest-plank as the tuning pins go loose with central heating..."

I will be redoing the mechanism with new felt and material, replacing tuning pins, bass strings and steel wire strings with new, and will get the cabinet repolished.

I would like to know from folks who have experience with these pianos, what your opinion is what should be done with the pinblock.
The piano has a closed faced pinblock, and the original pin is a 6.9mm x 60mm and they are loose.

Does the frame have to come out in order to properly assess the block, or can the block be drilled for a bigger pin, check the fit with several tuning pin samples knocked into the bass, tenor and treble sections, and if all feels ok, then all should be ok?, or, is it best to take out the frame, assess, and if the block does not look good, route out the tuning pin fields, expoxy & screw inserts?

Your expert advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK

Mark,

I think that this is something that needs to be discussed in detail with the client. The budget considerations of a) replacing an upright pinblock b) routing out and replacing the pinblock fields and c) doing a CA glue application are very different. So is the longevity and "professionalness" of the repair. I will let more experienced rebuilders weigh in on how they discuss this with the clients, but I would be very careful in what you promise if you end up doing that level of rebuilding with only a CA glue repair.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 03:28
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK

Peter,

I have taken the piano on consignment and am not restoring it for a client, though I will sell the piano once the work has been completed.

I am thinking of drilling the block (and the frame holes bigger too) and knocking tuning pins (tp) in at various places throughout the block and am hoping that this will give me some idea if this will be acceptable and sufficient. I am also open to taking the frame out, routing out the tp fields and replacing them with delignit inserts but will only go this route if the drilling does not work.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 13:22
From: Peter Stevenson
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Mark,

I think that this is something that needs to be discussed in detail with the client. The budget considerations of a) replacing an upright pinblock b) routing out and replacing the pinblock fields and c) doing a CA glue application are very different. So is the longevity and "professionalness" of the repair. I will let more experienced rebuilders weigh in on how they discuss this with the clients, but I would be very careful in what you promise if you end up doing that level of rebuilding with only a CA glue repair.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 03:28
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK

Falconwood pinblock plugs, from Great Lakes Piano Supply. With these you would drill out the pinblock, without having to remove the plate. It is a fraction of the cost of a new pinblock or putting in Delignit inserts, and yet you get the same benefit as with a new block, without having to go to a larger dia. tuning pin.  http://www.greatlakespianocompany.com

------------------------------
Alex Doss

Complete Piano Service
Central FL.
352-279-3464
naturecoastpianotech@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 14:20
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Peter,

I have taken the piano on consignment and am not restoring it for a client, though I will sell the piano once the work has been completed.

I am thinking of drilling the block (and the frame holes bigger too) and knocking tuning pins (tp) in at various places throughout the block and am hoping that this will give me some idea if this will be acceptable and sufficient. I am also open to taking the frame out, routing out the tp fields and replacing them with delignit inserts but will only go this route if the drilling does not work.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 13:22
From: Peter Stevenson
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Mark,

I think that this is something that needs to be discussed in detail with the client. The budget considerations of a) replacing an upright pinblock b) routing out and replacing the pinblock fields and c) doing a CA glue application are very different. So is the longevity and "professionalness" of the repair. I will let more experienced rebuilders weigh in on how they discuss this with the clients, but I would be very careful in what you promise if you end up doing that level of rebuilding with only a CA glue repair.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 03:28
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK

I need to make a correction; You do need to remove the plate, regardless of whether the piano uses bushings or not.

------------------------------
Alex Doss

Complete Piano Service
Central FL.
352-279-3464
naturecoastpianotech@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2017 01:50
From: Alexander Doss
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Falconwood pinblock plugs, from Great Lakes Piano Supply. With these you would drill out the pinblock, without having to remove the plate. It is a fraction of the cost of a new pinblock or putting in Delignit inserts, and yet you get the same benefit as with a new block, without having to go to a larger dia. tuning pin.  http://www.greatlakespianocompany.com

------------------------------
Alex Doss

Complete Piano Service
Central FL.
352-279-3464
naturecoastpianotech@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 14:20
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Peter,

I have taken the piano on consignment and am not restoring it for a client, though I will sell the piano once the work has been completed.

I am thinking of drilling the block (and the frame holes bigger too) and knocking tuning pins (tp) in at various places throughout the block and am hoping that this will give me some idea if this will be acceptable and sufficient. I am also open to taking the frame out, routing out the tp fields and replacing them with delignit inserts but will only go this route if the drilling does not work.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 13:22
From: Peter Stevenson
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Mark,

I think that this is something that needs to be discussed in detail with the client. The budget considerations of a) replacing an upright pinblock b) routing out and replacing the pinblock fields and c) doing a CA glue application are very different. So is the longevity and "professionalness" of the repair. I will let more experienced rebuilders weigh in on how they discuss this with the clients, but I would be very careful in what you promise if you end up doing that level of rebuilding with only a CA glue repair.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 03:28
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK

Thank you for your post/s Alexander.






------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2017 01:53
From: Alexander Doss
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

I need to make a correction; You do need to remove the plate, regardless of whether the piano uses bushings or not.

------------------------------
Alex Doss

Complete Piano Service
Central FL.
352-279-3464
naturecoastpianotech@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2017 01:50
From: Alexander Doss
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Falconwood pinblock plugs, from Great Lakes Piano Supply. With these you would drill out the pinblock, without having to remove the plate. It is a fraction of the cost of a new pinblock or putting in Delignit inserts, and yet you get the same benefit as with a new block, without having to go to a larger dia. tuning pin.  http://www.greatlakespianocompany.com

------------------------------
Alex Doss

Complete Piano Service
Central FL.
352-279-3464
naturecoastpianotech@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 14:20
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Peter,

I have taken the piano on consignment and am not restoring it for a client, though I will sell the piano once the work has been completed.

I am thinking of drilling the block (and the frame holes bigger too) and knocking tuning pins (tp) in at various places throughout the block and am hoping that this will give me some idea if this will be acceptable and sufficient. I am also open to taking the frame out, routing out the tp fields and replacing them with delignit inserts but will only go this route if the drilling does not work.

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 13:22
From: Peter Stevenson
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Mark,

I think that this is something that needs to be discussed in detail with the client. The budget considerations of a) replacing an upright pinblock b) routing out and replacing the pinblock fields and c) doing a CA glue application are very different. So is the longevity and "professionalness" of the repair. I will let more experienced rebuilders weigh in on how they discuss this with the clients, but I would be very careful in what you promise if you end up doing that level of rebuilding with only a CA glue repair.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 03:28
From: Mark Davis
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

Yes, when i say closed faced pinblock, I mean as you say, that the frame covers the pinblock with the frame being pierced for each pin.

Thank you Michael for your post and advice.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
www.pianotuning.co.za
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-06-2017 02:35
From: Michael Gamble
Subject: C.Bechstein Upright, Model V Pinblock advise

CA glue. Best to tip the piano before application though otherwise this stuff tends to run down the pin block. Leave the piano tipped until the first application is soaked in - then go for a second application. Use the thinnest CA - a bottle with a long needle tube applicator is best. When soaked in, right the piano and tune. When you say 'closed faced pinblock' I take it the metal frame covers the pinblock and is pierced for each wrestpin? If so are they bushed holes?     Michael   UK