Pianotech

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

HI Terry,

I have a AA here that will be getting a soup-to-nuts re-manufacture as well...looking forward to it.

The current A is a single long bridge and apron bass. I no longer use transition bridges as I approach this area with hybrid scaling which I vastly prefer over  wrapped doubles on a long bridge.

Vintage M&H's have poorly laid out front segments, resulting in difficult rendering. I will be seriously re-configuring the front segment bearing conditions, which on an M&H will involve grinding. As well the capo will be profiled to a true "V". I remember a thread a while ago on Pianoworld (which I have since turned off) where an amateur technician, was having trouble tuning his B with stability. He had a procession of PTG luminaries come and tune the piano. His comment was that even with all the pro's, the stability of the 1st capo section was not good...so, I think attention to the front segments is warranted and will pay off.   

The current A I service, which is a nice piano, still has a difficult to tune 1st capo, even though it has new non-corroded strings...so the bearing conditions are still extant.  This capo's first six notes are also quite noisy. On my AA,I will use co-polymer counterbearings and ED Mcmorrow's FTDS duplex, as part of my strategy to deal with these conditions.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:34
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: M&H A

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

I just acquired an MH A a couple of months ago. Marvelous little piano. The string scale speaking lengths could be improved quite a bit. Mine looks horrible on a spreadsheet, which confirmed the weakness up in the treble. The 11 rib scale is much overbuilt as is. I see no reason to increase stiffness with laminated ribs or increase their heights. My analysis records a Rib Area of 8.4 in2 in the original with a volume to length ratio of  .78". Since I wish to use this as a concert rental and want it to have a big sound, I am opting for a reduction of rib area down to 7.86 in2, and obtain a v/l ratio of .74". Reducing the H to W profile from 84% to 70% will work nicely on this piano. On this one, I am going to give Arledge a try on the bass string rescale. 
When its finished, i would welcome any side by side comparison!
-chris
#caveman​

------------------------------
A hunter's drumbeat steers the stampeding herd,
His belly growls in hunger to what he sees.
The mammoth aware blows his mighty trumpet,
But alas, the caveman tickles the ivories.

chernobieffpiano.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 08:14
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: M&H A

HI Terry,

I have a AA here that will be getting a soup-to-nuts re-manufacture as well...looking forward to it.

The current A is a single long bridge and apron bass. I no longer use transition bridges as I approach this area with hybrid scaling which I vastly prefer over  wrapped doubles on a long bridge.

Vintage M&H's have poorly laid out front segments, resulting in difficult rendering. I will be seriously re-configuring the front segment bearing conditions, which on an M&H will involve grinding. As well the capo will be profiled to a true "V". I remember a thread a while ago on Pianoworld (which I have since turned off) where an amateur technician, was having trouble tuning his B with stability. He had a procession of PTG luminaries come and tune the piano. His comment was that even with all the pro's, the stability of the 1st capo section was not good...so, I think attention to the front segments is warranted and will pay off.

The current A I service, which is a nice piano, still has a difficult to tune 1st capo, even though it has new non-corroded strings...so the bearing conditions are still extant.  This capo's first six notes are also quite noisy. On my AA,I will use co-polymer counterbearings and ED Mcmorrow's FTDS duplex, as part of my strategy to deal with these conditions.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:34
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: M&H A

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Whether an A or AA, I commonly add plate bushings when there were none originally.  The plate is plenty thick in the tuning pin field, and the the bushings surely make it easier to tune.  It takes less than 1/2 hour to ream out the holes to accept a modern narrower plate bushing. 

I have rebuilt probably a dozen A's of all iterations over my rebuilding lifetime, and cared for more than I can count.  I have never seen one with a transition bridge.  That's one to call Bruce Clark about. 

I have never added a transition bridge, but have found that clever hybrid scaling will almost always obviate the need for wound strings.  Occam's Razor applies here.  

Will Truitt

------------------------------
William Truitt
Bridgewater NH
603-744-2277
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 08:14
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: M&H A

HI Terry,

I have a AA here that will be getting a soup-to-nuts re-manufacture as well...looking forward to it.

The current A is a single long bridge and apron bass. I no longer use transition bridges as I approach this area with hybrid scaling which I vastly prefer over  wrapped doubles on a long bridge.

Vintage M&H's have poorly laid out front segments, resulting in difficult rendering. I will be seriously re-configuring the front segment bearing conditions, which on an M&H will involve grinding. As well the capo will be profiled to a true "V". I remember a thread a while ago on Pianoworld (which I have since turned off) where an amateur technician, was having trouble tuning his B with stability. He had a procession of PTG luminaries come and tune the piano. His comment was that even with all the pro's, the stability of the 1st capo section was not good...so, I think attention to the front segments is warranted and will pay off.

The current A I service, which is a nice piano, still has a difficult to tune 1st capo, even though it has new non-corroded strings...so the bearing conditions are still extant.  This capo's first six notes are also quite noisy. On my AA,I will use co-polymer counterbearings and ED Mcmorrow's FTDS duplex, as part of my strategy to deal with these conditions.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:34
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: M&H A

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Hi Will - I've thought about plate bushings also. I was thinking this might be a good piano to try it on. My idea is to cut Delignit plugs the size of the tuning pin plate holes (or after they are reamed out) and epoxy them in place. Epoxy them to the plate and to the pinblock below - basically turn the darn thing into a hybrid Delignit-capped open-faced pinblock.

And what about the poor soul who rebuilds it 100 years from now? Just drill them out - shouldn't be a problem.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 12:37
From: William Truitt
Subject: M&H A

Whether an A or AA, I commonly add plate bushings when there were none originally.  The plate is plenty thick in the tuning pin field, and the the bushings surely make it easier to tune.  It takes less than 1/2 hour to ream out the holes to accept a modern narrower plate bushing.

I have rebuilt probably a dozen A's of all iterations over my rebuilding lifetime, and cared for more than I can count.  I have never seen one with a transition bridge.  That's one to call Bruce Clark about.

I have never added a transition bridge, but have found that clever hybrid scaling will almost always obviate the need for wound strings.  Occam's Razor applies here.

Will Truitt

------------------------------
William Truitt
Bridgewater NH
603-744-2277

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 08:14
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: M&H A

HI Terry,

I have a AA here that will be getting a soup-to-nuts re-manufacture as well...looking forward to it.

The current A is a single long bridge and apron bass. I no longer use transition bridges as I approach this area with hybrid scaling which I vastly prefer over  wrapped doubles on a long bridge.

Vintage M&H's have poorly laid out front segments, resulting in difficult rendering. I will be seriously re-configuring the front segment bearing conditions, which on an M&H will involve grinding. As well the capo will be profiled to a true "V". I remember a thread a while ago on Pianoworld (which I have since turned off) where an amateur technician, was having trouble tuning his B with stability. He had a procession of PTG luminaries come and tune the piano. His comment was that even with all the pro's, the stability of the 1st capo section was not good...so, I think attention to the front segments is warranted and will pay off.

The current A I service, which is a nice piano, still has a difficult to tune 1st capo, even though it has new non-corroded strings...so the bearing conditions are still extant.  This capo's first six notes are also quite noisy. On my AA,I will use co-polymer counterbearings and ED Mcmorrow's FTDS duplex, as part of my strategy to deal with these conditions.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:34
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: M&H A

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Phil - please do! And bring your 1850s (or whatever age) Steinway with you!  ;-)

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:34
From: Phil Bondi
Subject: M&H A

Hey Terry - I predict you will be very pleased with the results. I might take a ride up one day this summer and check it out..I'll invite myself!

------------------------------
-Phil Bondi

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

I'm no expert in the old MH designs but I've seen quite a few, and I've never seen an A with a transition bridge.  I've seen that only on the MH AA model, which is 6'4" (or is it 6'2"?  Can't remember.  In any case, I believe the currently produced AA is not the same size as the older  AA.)

------------------------------
Zeno Wood
Brooklyn, NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-04-2018 06:11
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: M&H A

I just bought a derelict 1930 M&H A the other day. I have zero experience with M&Hs - never owned one, and never have done any significant work on one. Pretty impressive construction. The rim is 80mm thick - an S&S L that I have in my shop has a rim thickness of 58mm. I was a little bit surprised to find an M&H action in it - for some reason (Boston I guess) I thought it would have a WNG action.

This piano has the model designation "A" cast into the plate. It is 5' 8" as an A should be. However it has "A1" stamped on the plate where the serial number is in that little bass/tenor pocket. Anyone know what the A1 means, if anything?

Any other comments on this model? I'll be talking to Del Fandrich about a complete belly redesign. Need to do some action re-working also - five leads in the bass is a bit much! But, oh, how neatly and professionally they are installed!

This piano has a low tenor transition bridge. Does the current model A have this feature or have they resorted to the horrors of the hockey-stick bridge?

This REALLY looks like a well-made piano. I'm impressed.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------