Pianotech

  • 1.  Regulating Historical Wippens

    Member
    Posted 01-02-2025 11:44

    Hi All,

    Does anyone have advice for regulating this old style wippen from the early 20th century Bechstein.  By some coincidence, I have this customer who has two pianos from different manufacturers (Blütner and Bechstein) from the same era.  It appears that instead of a capstain there is a block with a triangular bottom with two screws holding it down.  I'm imagining the adjustment of blow distance may be achieved by backing off one screw and screwing in the other in a kind of lever action to raise the wippen.  Is this correct?  Anyone have experience with this style wippen?

    Thanks in advance.

    Best,

    Luke



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    Luke Taylor
    Duarte CA
    (310) 386-7014
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  • 2.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Posted 01-02-2025 12:29

    If you can find a "Bechstein screwdriver" adjusting rocker capstans is an easy task.

    Maybe this link will work.

    <https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/PTG/Offset%201.jpg?X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEAEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIQCzm3g4M%2F5anN4J3lHgAovvNE0hhu%2BWr4frH9XAdekgCQIgIJgdyFt1fAoDXfUe2bvqdCsaqmlxf%2FGs72yPiqPyIfYqugUI2v%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARAAGgwzODAzMzczNDA3MDYiDEfoRC0kLOEGMIGLmCqOBdmNf6y5Oyecc%2F5YnLEznHfErOtzZCWgjeDagzCUf7Vw5wSmB40aeEbbEr3ThQOyrZSm5kCWoh6yUT1BP84DXV6vxm1v8r%2B%2BPgUTvYATAue7aU3brsO2kLu4CqycdIDXlxA5n1nfH2NfzbucK5n2Op6XCtRQOlxklkzu%2F5oWYr6BxQSQC%2FeoluVYf3gd%2Fuu28Lwic8vMXs9tbJuFC%2FfN%2FcgkAS4W3BwASz7FagB6SQuqgZqoXQ7AvK%2BBm90oag6zx%2BRor3kqiNSPYXglJEMdl0UvCuEr6%2BaHuWqALsHdLLdUxY9bxOMveKDxmew1qN9mfeiee89davZGJTVJXOMrLKhb5ntqFsd3zCAZuXqXWV2V0M09%2BEtOz%2Bm3IvuxbeN7qicWfyCynNDvugET5IXGlPoBFwvB4ljQeU1Eh8tTJcYBdGPvXMnGiV3riF1OIMzzH1WOt1PKMCqz%2FmbeAU30OyWTNSJm7NmxLnvBI%2BfGb%2FQ8hwWDR8w%2Bj%2B899pa39EDo%2F9ovgxKxfVxbSwmHWCIlOHLGOvzwnX0wiW51rBZhWUW%2B2x3xXopPM8crElu%2BFJ0GWJHgMP3ystEyKz3MoHw5MW8Rjwho9eitN0nBBr7T1yqLib%2BvP70tQyrY60JXwAybbgiDi2sZ6XR5ARtxtScznjT7LqfKU9d8G9hcx80hkmg8BmMln4MEKVcQeMNYtZJrLcceJePKn825lezcnZiGZAInzOf6kf1zvTp6oHpiYcJ4aUlBvL%2BTPj745%2BKHBkBPYdas0EHIEKlS3GEfk3J73mi0xbDrkE5OxdH7fxQrfeRY7%2Fwn%2BFEdxqkfkYBaBJe55mmTOfFTlX3pwu5d5CNvov2yjVsv768Jugr1t2%2FqqjCcjNu7BjqxAWOhV8u9aKg39%2Be2fAS71MfuMWr2%2FhDAUKA168REg2rECkaAUA1Crwsw%2BiZdZqAo03%2FvxhjTryurO%2FqTsJ6gOpJ2FJlLl4oUM1m5MFaEsF2rplt3dpzD8GBa00z0safJn1pyXaN6wMRM1SD06B6HqLXwxte07fVhoipACqeWYerNdyAIoCdcuahYHmQREFWzfhcKjv8%2FwTurq8lcpUBS9CNiPzYpMmMi3WLdpQrYJPEvLg%3D%3D&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAVRDO7IERO7YH4MNV%2F20250102%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250102T172453Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=896b95ec6be43ae9e7970c69c9de046c9a25f8ba6ba4604f932ab6e91564b30d>



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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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  • 3.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Member
    Posted 01-02-2025 13:53

    Thanks Ed!  

    The link didn't work but knowing about the existence of this tool and the term for this style of capstan is helpful.  I'm more experienced with modern instruments.  Was it a link for purchasing the tool?  I see that Pianoforte has one but they are sold out.  I see Schaff has a simpler tool called the "Rocker Screwdriver" and maybe a ratcheting offset screwdriver will work.

    Best,

    Luke



    ------------------------------
    Luke Taylor
    Duarte CA
    (310) 386-7014
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Posted 01-02-2025 16:34

    Enter "Bechstein screwdriver" in the search box at the top of this page.

    I hope you can get one as it's the fastest way to do the job.



    ------------------------------
    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-02-2025 16:44

    You can get one from RennerUSA



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    Parker Leigh RPT
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-02-2025 21:27

    Parker, 

    Is that the one referred to as "offset screwdriver"?

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2025 09:21

    Yes that is the "offset screwdriver".   You can also use a right angle ratcheting screwdriver or make your own. If you use a ratcheting driver

    set you can use the option to select bits based on each individual situation.



    ------------------------------
    Parker Leigh RPT
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Regulating Historical Wippens

    Posted 01-04-2025 23:48
    Yes. , blow distance is regulated by those two screws. You need do called Laying Screwdriver for this work. But best would be to convert into capstan system. Watch for Action Ratio if you convert
    Alexander Brusilovsky