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Kimball upright balance rail

  • 1.  Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-13-2018 03:38
    I just serviced an old, heavily decorated Kimball upright, probably circa 1900 with an unusual balance rail.  The balance rail pins swivel with the key in slots in a separate guide rail (see photos).
    Has anyone seen these before.  It appears to be serviceable, though nearing the end of its practical life.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 2.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Posted 01-13-2018 05:30
    Since the top pin is fixed I the key, what stabilizes the key at the bottom, pivot location?

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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  • 3.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2018 02:46
    Removing one key to see how it works would involve disassembly of the fall-board and key rail; eventually I probably will pull a few keys out.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 4.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Posted 01-13-2018 08:37
    I haven't seen anything like that. Interesting.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
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  • 5.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-13-2018 09:10
    Interesting arrangement. The keys are much stronger this way, less prone to break. No chance of chucking keys, since there's no rocking at the balance rail hole. I guess if you need to square the keys, you'd have to bend the pin. Looks easy to replace the bushing felt. Would have been nice to get a photo of the rail under the keys. My imagination is that the pins are inserted into a wooden dowel, drilled in the center, and held by a long metal rod, which would act as the pivot. Or, a bushed slot underneath, like a key button with the pin inserted from the top.
    Too bad, Kimball did actually know how to make a good piano. At least back then.
    Paul McCloud
    San DIego


    I just serviced an old, heavily decorated Kimball upright, probably circa 1900 with an unusual balance rail. The balance rail pins swivel with the key in slots in a separate guide rail (see photos).
    Has anyone seen these before. It appears to be serviceable, though nearing the end of its practical life.

    ------------------------------
    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170





  • 6.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Posted 01-13-2018 12:37
    If all keys pivot along a straight line, naturals and accidentals will have different key ratios.

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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  • 7.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2018 02:47
    Perhaps one reason why this is not more common?

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 8.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2018 14:55
    Thanks for posting this Duane. I have never seen this before. I am dying to know how they fixed the key at the bottom. Are there key leveling screws you can access from the underside of the key-bed?

    Please get this information and post it. I would even pay for it I am so curious.

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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  • 9.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2018 14:56
    Ah crap, I meant Blaine! Brain fart on my part. SORRY

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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  • 10.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-15-2018 04:04
    I expected many comments like, "Oh I just did one last week" or "I see these all the time".  If this is very rare perhaps I can schedule a free service call to take a few more pictures.  Otherwise I will see it next year.

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 11.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2019 14:58
    How interesting!! Thank you for sharing!

    Cory

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    Cory Jacobson
    Campbellsport WI
    262-689-6043
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  • 12.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Member
    Posted 02-19-2019 20:22
    Can you find a serial number to narrow down the years ? maybe there are some dates written on the keys by tuners. awesome looking casework and the action looks pretty intact. I would not blow off old kimballs and have read some things that back in time they were good to great. the case would be stunning with a good cleaning and buffing. I have seen and worked on some old kimballs all which have a history to them-most stayed in the family one was owned by the owners grandfather who worked 3 jobs during the depression to keep it in the family. if this one could talk i bet it has an interesting history.

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 13.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-21-2019 01:06
    It was a Kimball upright (heavily decorated) #103303.
    This puts it at about 1903.​

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    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
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  • 14.  RE: Kimball upright balance rail

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-21-2019 09:34
    Hi Blaine, as I watch this thread develop I'm remembering some details.  From memory, at about 1900 Kimball started making a new more conventional action.  The action with the no longer made damper levers was that next version.  Then about 1910 or so they started producing an action with currently easily found replacements parts.  The three panels across the front was the cabinet standard during that era.  The oak one had acorns and oak leaves and was a popular seller.

    I've recently considered finding a Kimball with the obsolete damper levers and parting it out but I got over that part a few days ago.  Kicking back and enjoying a cold tall frosty one is more in keeping with viable activity.

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    Larry Fisher
    Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
    Vancouver WA
    360-256-2999
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