1824 Erard grand

[Frans Sedee]

 an 1824 Erard Grand #5933 (made in London) in


>Questions:
>1.  Where is it possible to find tuning pins with a rectangular head, and/or
>a tuning lever tip  to fit such rectangular tuning pins.

There is a tuning pin maker in France who supplies piano-forte builders
with pins. I could try to find his adress for you if you want.
Use the old ones if possible. They were never blue. Fill the holes in the
pinblock with a wood-curl of f.i. maple if they are to big.

>2.  How does one determine the metal composition of the strings?  The bass
>strings are either steel or iron wrapped, and I don't know what type of
>metal is in the core wire or in the treble wire (possibly iron ? or soft
>steel?).  Is there a source for such music wire?  What would happen if the
>piano was strung with modern steel wire?

The bass strings were wrapped with brass, yellow brass I think you call it,
anyway a mix of Zn and Cu. Malcolm Rose, cembalo builder in the UK, could
problably tell you more of the compostition of this brass. He makes historical
string material.
Using modern steel will result in more stress on the pinblock, that is if you
use the same diameters. Soft, (and stainless) steel wire is taken into
production again recently in Holland. Let me know if you are interested.


>3.  Has anyone else worked on a similar piano and have experience with the
>way this piano action works?
You can have the hammers refelted in Paris. The roulettes are very small
in diameter. To change the position of the jack you'll probably have to
screw out the whole lever. Key depth is 8 mm at most I think.

>4.  Does this piano have any special historic value?
Yes, it should be in museum, if it is still in original condition.
I will ask some (not connected) more specialised collegues for more advise
for you. This might take some time.