Pianotech

  • 1.  Chickering Grand Back Action

    Member
    Posted 11-22-2023 07:57

    I am working on a Chickering Grand with the damper levers basically falling off. They are no longer attached and are loose in the piano. I was unable to find a serial number, but the piano had an Ampico player in it at one time, so I am guessing it is from around the 1920's.

    Two questions:

    1. Is anyone familiar with this era Chickering back action that they can let me know how the damper levers were attached?
    2. I am anticipating that I will need to drill holes in the flanges and the mounting "rail" and reattach the levers. When doing this with a replacement back action, what is the procedures for making sure that the damper levers are correctly aligned to the strings and damper guide rail.

    Any other advice on this job would also be appreciated.

    Thank you.

    Rex Roseman



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    Rex Roseman
    Norton OH
    (330) 289-2948
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  • 2.  RE: Chickering Grand Back Action

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-22-2023 11:57
    Hi Rex,

    It sounds like a serious exposure to moisture caused the underlevers to become unglued from the rail.  Your questions seem to assume two contradictory situations;  that you are repairing the old system, and you are installing a new back action.  If so, I'll try to sort that out.

    You can repair the old system by regluing the flanges or installing screws or both.

    You can replace the back action with a new one, say, Tokiwa.  It doesn't solve the rotating damper head problem on Chickering pianos (the wire doesn't fit into a mortise on the head, but instead screws into the head).  But otherwise it's a very good solution.

    Either way, you want the back action underlevers to line up with the back of the KEYS.  Alignment with the guide rail and strings is done through proper wire bending.  If you don't have a pattern for the levers due to so many becoming unglued, you have the back of the keys.  I'd suggest doing all the key service first (new key bushings, bottom hole repairs).  

    It's true that some piano builders in the 19th century actually designed pianos without any bends in the damper wires, quite an amazing, but unnecessary design achievement.  But any builders who did this got over it.

    Regards,

    Bill






  • 3.  RE: Chickering Grand Back Action

    Member
    Posted 11-22-2023 22:52

    Someone here has the same vintage and he just sent the keys out for new keytops and bushings. It also had a player that was taken out. Serial was stenciled on a plate strut and it was 1921 built in Boston. Take pictures of what you have. Next week I will try to do the same. 



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 4.  RE: Chickering Grand Back Action

    Member
    Posted 12-18-2023 18:56
    A follow up on the back action work I had asked about. I was incorrect on the make of the piano. What I get for doing it from memory and not checking my notes. I was a Knabe, which meant that the dampers were attached with the more traditional barrel and screw setup. The damper flanges were glued into the damper tray with a strip of wood glued on the top. All of the glue joints were suspect so I drilled and installed screws in the flanges. The clue that I was looking for was that the damper levers were aligned to the back of the keys. I used the strip of wood that had been on top of the dampers as an alignment gauge to set the damper levers. There was residue of hide glue that had squeezed out and that gave a very clear spacing template for realigning the damper levers when they were screwed down. The project went without a hitch and I didn't have to do any wire bending to get the dampers to work.

    Thank you for your help. The comment on what to align to was the key to a successful job.

    Rex Roseman



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Chickering Grand Back Action

    Member
    Posted 12-18-2023 23:54

    If you want to find the serial number look on the top of the lyre after removing it Another place it could be is stamped into the soundboard.

    You may need to tap the lyre with a rubber mallet if it uses the butterfly locking plate like Steinways have



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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    Original Message