Pianotech

  • 1.  Plate/Strut Design

    Posted 10-13-2019 18:50
    I just tuned an old English piano - late (-ish) 19th Century - 85-note, straight (parallel) strung. I'm curious how the fore-and-aft struts are attached to the hitch pin plate and the pinblock plate. Several photos are attached. I do see that the struts are held in place with screws, but how are the ends of the struts attached to the plates so that they resist the compressive forces of the strings? My guess is that the aft end of the struts have some sort of stud - round or square - that is keyed into a receptacle hole in the plate. At the forward end of the strut - is that little anvil-looking riser part of the pinblock plate, or is it in turn screwed and or keyed into the pinblock plate? Anyone ever yank one of these apart to see?

    Thanks.

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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  • 2.  RE: Plate/Strut Design

    Posted 10-13-2019 19:27
    I don't recognise the instrument specifically but this style of frame was of the style of Broadwoods of the 1840s and I've seen it on French Erards of a later date also.

    http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/10949/ is an important resource for the study of the development of such instruments.

    Best wishes

    David P

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    David Pinnegar BSc ARCS
    Curator and House Tuner - Hammerwood Park, East Grinstead, Sussex UK
    antespam@gmail.com

    Seminar 6th May 2019 - http://hammerwood.mistral.co.uk/tuning-seminar.pdf "The Importance of Tuning for Better Performance"
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Plate/Strut Design

    Posted 10-13-2019 19:44
    You definitely tend to find the curious ones.  My first take is your assessment would be correct about the studs.  Keep the pics coming, though.  I love to see this stuff!

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    Ted Rohde
    Central Illinois
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Plate/Strut Design

    Member
    Posted 10-13-2019 20:33
    I recently saw a Broadwood that was either built for or used by Chopin. Not sure if it is THE one referenced in the attachment but it has all of the features very characteristic in the pictures including long struts and straight stringing. I plan to see it in a few weeks to study it more closely but I was intrigued by the hitch pinning and the strut setup.

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message