I don't know that I've ever had a problem tuning a C3 (in good shape of course).
The point I was getting at was that in copying a long standing design intended to marry the pinblock to the plate flange and make the flange to the work (a fairly well proven design), they made a fundamental change (that of installing plate bushings) that essentially negates that design, actually pulling the pinblock away from the plate flange, rendering the flange nearly useless. I would also suggest that doing this undermines the unifying effect of Steinway's design.
Therefore I was simply wondering if anyone else noticed this (this is my very first Yamaha rebuild) and decided to try something different. (Seems to me people are always doing this with soundboards, stringing, etc (not being content with original design).
I remember years ago, Willis Snyder toyed with the idea of adding plate bushings to the Steinway design, but ultimately rejected it.
In theory I might as well just put in a floating block of I'm going to have plate bushings.
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-04-2018 09:02
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: C3 Pinblock design
Maybe my addition is off. 1980's, which is the vintage of my challenged C series instruments, is not 20 years ago...more like 35 (though it seems like it ought to be only 20yrs ago). For these instruments, at least around here, they are bears, as evidenced by the complaints of the clients when I acquired them....short lived tunings. I can tune them but it is slow.
So correcting my addition, and looking at, what is really my only nice Yamaha of 20 yrs ago, late 90's, which is an S-400, this is indeed a beautiful piano and a dream to tune. Point taken.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 07-04-2018 05:41
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: C3 Pinblock design
Jim I wrote: "...20yr old C3's are often horrible to tune."
I have to disagree with your statement Jim. I find 20 year old C3s to generally be a dream to tune.
But the thread here is about a 45 year old C3....... ;-)
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2018 20:20
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: C3 Pinblock design
Leave it alone is a reasonable possibility, except for the fact that 20yr old C3's are often horrible to tune. Figuring out why would be a community service. They creak, pop, refuse to move and otherwise don't play well with other children. I don't think that's about the block though.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2018 14:55
From: Jurgen Goering
Subject: C3 Pinblock design
One could ask the opposite: is there any good reason to deviate from the original design?
Many techs will say that Yamahas tune very nicely. So why change it? If the plate flange is a bit thicker than Steinway, you may end up with undue flagpoling which will make tuning more difficult.
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Jurgen Goering
Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2018 12:57
From: Peter Grey
Subject: C3 Pinblock design
So, in removing the plate from this 1973 C3 I see that the pinblock design is a virtual copy of Steinway...full perimeter fit, doweled appropriately, etc.
So my question is: Since Steinway has never used plate bushings (with the flange taking the full brunt of the tension), but the Yamaha does use plate bushings (transferring the tension to all the tuning pins instead) is there any good reason why I should not follow the Steinway protocol (no bushings), or is there a good reason to follow through with the Yamaha design?
Any opinions?
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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