CAUT

  • 1.  '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2021 22:50
      |   view attached
    I'd like to regulate this sostenuto, but it shows no sign of being adjustable. The sost blade need to go another 2mm under the tabs (and they themselves need to be leveled). My best idea is loosening the mount onto the belly rail on sticking a paper clip on the locator nail on top, hoping to lean the blade below, inwards. I have no idea where the trapwork gets limited/adjusted.

    I hope I'm not looking at a "set'n'forget" installation.

    TIA

    ------------------------------
    William Ballard RPT
    WBPS
    Saxtons River VT
    802-869-9107

    "Our lives contain a thousand springs
    and dies if one be gone
    Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
    should keep in tune so long."
    ...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2021 23:26
    It looks like a choice between bending the bracket (which should be doable) or loosening the screw and inserting shims as needed. 
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "When I smell a flower, I don't think about how it was cultivated. I like to listen to music the same way." Mompou






  • 3.  RE: '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-23-2021 07:38
    I didn't even lay a magnet on the bracket to see whether it's steel or not, but the upper bend is reinforced with a fillet. I can't see behind the lower bend, but that would be where the bending is intended. If the bracket are really that soft, the bending could be accomplished with a light-to-medium tap with a hammer.

    I like the idea of shimming. It wouldn't take much (maybe 1/28" maple veneer) given the leverage. No room for feeler gages with the damper wires in place, but I can used numbered drills to get within a few mils of the proper thickness. I'm in on this piano for a couple of days of action reconditioning/regulating/voicing, which doesn't necessarily involve any complete dismounting of such a system (if the brackets have to be in a machinist vice for bending). But the damper timing is early, and (because the work is going well), if the damper posts slip nicely on the wires, I might throw all of this in as well.

    Thanks for the suggestions. I like it when there's a single clear answer: that means its the right one.

    ------------------------------
    William Ballard RPT
    WBPS
    Saxtons River VT
    802-869-9107

    "Our lives contain a thousand springs
    and dies if one be gone
    Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
    should keep in tune so long."
    ...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-23-2021 14:35
    It looks like cast brass, I would be careful bending it.
    Fred Drasche was giving a class on S&S sostenuto, and the piano he was using was an older Steinway
    which had cast brass brackets and when he was showing how to bend them it broke.

    John





  • 5.  RE: '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2021 23:29
    I sent too early by mistake. I was going to add, remove the nail "permanently" positioning it in order to be able to insert the shim. 
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "A mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." Plutarch













  • 6.  RE: '57 Baldwin M Sostenuto

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-23-2021 06:52
    If I recall the recommended method is to bend the brackets.

    Wim.

    Sent from my iPhone