Pianotech

  • 1.  Restored 1905 Steinway model M.

    Posted 05-24-2017 08:51
    I've been asked to service an old Steinway, model M, I believe. It is quite different from other models I've seen before. The piano has quite a few problems that need to be addressed. For one, getting into the action cavity is different.  The fallboard  is not attached to the chin blocks as in the other pianos, but rather directly to the side panel. I could not see if the pins were spring loaded or not. I was afraid of not being able to put the fallboard back even if I was able to take it of. Could some one give me an idea how to do it.
    Thanks,
    Novice



    Sent from my Samsung device


  • 2.  RE: Restored 1905 Steinway model M.

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-24-2017 09:06
    Hi Tapio:
    I've never seen a Steinway grand, except for a square grand, that the fallboard wasn't attached to the cheek blocks. Are you sure it's a Steinway? Or perhaps somebody put a Steinway decal on another piano? A picture would help immensely. If it were attached to the sides of the piano, usually there is a U-shaped bracket mounted there for the pin. Sometimes there's a set screw that needs to be backed off to release the pin. I'm talking about other brands, because like I said, Steinways are usually? attached to the cheeks. Some pianos have screws in the ends of the fallboard that you can only see if you look with the fallboard tilted out 45 deg. There are metal strips embedded in a slot routed into the fallboard. Remove those screws and the fallboard will slide off. Without a picture, it's hard to say. Maybe somebody has seen a Steinway like yours. I'll be interested to know more.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego




  • 3.  RE: Restored 1905 Steinway model M.

    Posted 05-24-2017 09:10
    It might be an XR. A former Duo-Art Player with the pivot rod secured to the ends of the fallboard as Paul mentioned. In these, getting the action out is tricky because you also have to remove the lyre and remove the union block/s from under the keyframe.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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  • 4.  RE: Restored 1905 Steinway model M.

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-24-2017 09:26
    My previous reply was based on my experience with an XR, has Jon referenced, and he's correct about removing the action, but it sounded like Tapio hadn't gotten the fallboard off yet.

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    David Skolnik
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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  • 5.  RE: Restored 1905 Steinway model M.

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-24-2017 09:23
    Take a look at the sides of the fallboard.  You might find a length of brass or steel, about 1/4" wide and 3" long that is inset into a slot and secured with two or three flat head screws.  Remove screws (on both ends) and slide fallboard off.

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    David Skolnik
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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