While I don't modify pianos in the same manner as Mr. Farrell shows, I don't buy the argument that he should rename the piano after himself.
When one sends an old Steinway to NY to be rebuilt, you do not get a piano back that matches original specs. And if you buy a new Steinway, you do not get one that matches the full Steinway DNA of the past. The reduced leverage in the action and the heavier hammers are new "genes". The narrower agraffes, smaller diameter treble bridge pins and lighter bridge "genes" are extinct. And the mishaped V-bars are probably still there. Not to mention the uglier Hamburg case style that has now fully infected the company.
Modifying an old Steinway when one rebuilds it does not degrade the Steinway brand even if it does degrade the piano for some people. This notion is a false equivalency often promulgated by those intent on deceit. No one is confused about who is responsible. Steinway has no responsibility to pianos out of warranty.
And what if the modifications are based on the company DNA and are evolved further to perfect the design intent? This opens up the possibility of a rebuilt Steinway to being the only state of the art Steinway available.
Because no design innovation is thought possible at Steinway. (They say it is already the most perfect piano design ever made.) If so, why do Steinway techs stuff felt into noisy duplexes? If the design is perfect, why does it sometimes have problems like that?
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Edward McMorrow
Edmonds WA
425-299-3431
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2019 18:19
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
Beautiful work Mr. Farrell,
In all seriousness I hope when you are finished you'll take the time to grind the original makers name off of the string frame. While I expect the finished product will be a beautiful piano it will bear very little more than a passing resemblance to the instrument as built in New York. Keeping the original name anywhere on an instrument with this level of modification lends credence to the argument currently being made by a New York manufacturer that they alone can restore pianos made in their factory. To be clear I am not arguing the wisdom of or your right to be making such modifications. Just suggesting that you take pride in your design and put your own name on it.
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Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2019 17:42
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
Hi Steven - what do you mean by a "side grinder"? An angle grinder?
As for the nose bolt, I'll install a new belly brace to support the belly rail and the nose bolt can be mounted right in the new brace. See picture below:
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2019 17:04
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
Terry, maybe you could cut it out with a side grinder and chisel?
Btw, how are you going to support the nose bolt?
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Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2019 16:36
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
Hi David. Yes I do, and I tried that. It is difficult to get in there to put enough inward pressure on the screwdriver to keep it from popping out of the slot. That's why an impact screwdriver - or rather a 90-degree impact screwdriver would be just the ticket!
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2019 15:08
From: David Nereson
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
Do you have a large screwdriver that has a square shank on which you can put a crescent wrench?
--David Nereson, RPT
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David Nereson
Registered Piano Technician
Denver CO
303-355-5770
Original Message:
Sent: 03-28-2019 16:20
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Bell Screw Removal
I have a piano in my shop that was made by a well-known manufacturer in NY. It has this cast iron lump of a growth mounted on the rim in the treble area. It is attached to the rim with a goodly number of screws. I wish to do a rim lumpectomy. Most of the screws were removable, but several - including the ones that go into the side of the rim are really in there firmly. I'd use a hammer screwdriver to remove them, but there is really no way to get in there with such a tool. Any suggestions on how to remove them? I guess I could drill them out - if I had a right-angle drill (I don't).
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
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