Pianotech

Last week I worked on an 1883 Steinway upright. At least the treble wire has been replaced [ see photo], but I'm not positive about the bass strings: 8 single copper, 5 notes of copper bichords and 11 notes of steel bichords. I talked with Mapes, and until last year one could order steel wrapped bass strings. So, it's possible that whoever restrung the treble followed the original bass pattern. My 1st question is this: was that the original pattern? David Kirkland's book doesn't say. My other question about this pianos is about the hammer strike point. The hammers are hitting between 10 o'clock and just past 12 instead of the grooves being uniformly on both sides of 12. Was this normal on an 1883 Steinway upright? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Original Message------

Last week I worked on an 1883 Steinway upright. At least the treble wire has been replaced [ see photo], but I'm not positive about the bass strings: 8 single copper, 5 notes of copper bichords and 11 notes of steel bichords. I talked with Mapes, and until last year one could order steel wrapped bass strings. So, it's possible that whoever restrung the treble followed the original bass pattern. My 1st question is this: was that the original pattern? David Kirkland's book doesn't say. My other question about this pianos is about the hammer strike point. The hammers are hitting between 10 o'clock and just past 12 instead of the grooves being uniformly on both sides of 12. Was this normal on an 1883 Steinway upright? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Sheffey,

You wrote:  The hammers are hitting between 10 o'clock and just past 12 instead of the grooves being uniformly on both sides of 12.

Maybe I'm dense but I don't quite understand this description for hammer alignment. Can you elaborate or clarify a bit?

Okay, "light dawns on Marblehead"...are you talking about over/under centering of the hammers? 

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2019 01:42
From: William Shull
Subject: 1883 Steinway upright

Sheff,

Steinway upright bass strings we're usually wound in this pattern of iron (not steel) wrapping on the top of the bass section.  

I find these strings to be of exceptional quality, often responding well to "turning" (removal at the hitch pin and adding a couple of twists the direction of the winding).   

Regarding the hammer string alignment, if the hammers on the 1883 vertical have the grey reinforcement and a few with the "waterproof" patent stamp you can be sure they were factory.

Regards,

Bill

Original Message------

Last week I worked on an 1883 Steinway upright. At least the treble wire has been replaced [ see photo], but I'm not positive about the bass strings: 8 single copper, 5 notes of copper bichords and 11 notes of steel bichords. I talked with Mapes, and until last year one could order steel wrapped bass strings. So, it's possible that whoever restrung the treble followed the original bass pattern. My 1st question is this: was that the original pattern? David Kirkland's book doesn't say. My other question about this pianos is about the hammer strike point. The hammers are hitting between 10 o'clock and just past 12 instead of the grooves being uniformly on both sides of 12. Was this normal on an 1883 Steinway upright? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------