I recently tuned a Hardman grand upright, circa 1906, that resides at a town hall. The case is in good condition. I was told that the action had been rebuilt; hammers had been replaced but don't know what else. Although the piano hadn't been tuned in two years it wasn't too badly off, and the pins were tight. I was told that it keeps its tune well.
This is a historic piano that had been gifted by an apparently well-known local pianist. It's cared for by "Friends of the Ludlow Auditorium" (FOLA--Ludlow, Vermont) where it resides.
The piano sounds ... well, not great. Not a clear sound -- "twangy." Many hammers need to be aligned to strings; hammers are worn but not excessively. Let-off is out-of-whack and I had to adjust some notes as hammer was blocking against strings. Blow distance off considerably. My recommendation to client was that piano needs a regulation and hammer reshaping, alignment and mating of hammer to strings, string seating and leveling, etc. I don't have pictures as a rehearsal was waiting for me to finish.
I didn't have a good look at the piano due to the time constraint but my guess is that the strings need to be replaced. I'm thinking that provided the soundboard and bridges, etc., are OK, then regulation and voicing and string replacement will likely bring this piano up to where it could be, considering its age. Any general thoughts on this? My impression on first looking at this piano was that it used to be a very nice piano, and subsequent research on Hardman pianos confirmed that.
One other question, and apologize for lack of photos which I can get later. The middle pedal attaches to a rod on the right side of the piano that extends above the action; there's no obvious way for it to connect to the action. Puzzling; I'm told it's "missing a part" and this might be it.
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Don Dalton
Smokeshire Piano Service
Andover VT
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