Bechstein-restauration

[Barrie Heaton]

Hi Peter,

Few thing to watch out if it is the twin gate leg variety, is very
common to have cracked frame (plate)  this tends to be at the wrest pin
end of the posts just at the side of the afrafts.

I have a little pet theory on this one, all the bechsteins which were
virgins and have no cracks.   When you unscrewed the frame, it tended to
jump out at you, when you placed it back in,  it rocked on the pillar
butts.  So you had to turn the pillar bolts down to re-seat the frame
and turn the bolts back up sweating when you do it.

Bechsteins: I have done with cracks in.   When frame bolts are removed
the frame doesn't jump and it does not rock on the pillar bolts.  My
hypotheosis is, Bechsteins arch the frame to compensate for the load.
When technicians have removede the frame then put it back in. It has
rocked on the pillar bolts, they have turned them down but never turned
them back up again. when the strain isd put back on the frame it bows
down and cracks.    Well that's my theory any way.

What Les says is perfectly true,  modern hammers tend to be a bit on the
heavy side, I tend to have my hammers recoved and then dope them to the
required sound.   Enjoy the tide action if it is one they can be a bit
tiresome but once everything is set up there o.k. I have seen new bottom
sections and capstans fitted to old Bechsteins they tend to work a
little bit better deffinitely a lighter touch.

An obervation in general to the list.

Piano hammer weights are general refered to in pounds.  twelve pounds
normally being a lightish hammer.  Now the U.K. this twelve pounds is
taken from a one square metre sheet of felt,  in Europe and the far
East, they also work so I'm told in square metres.  In America I'm
assuming you work in square yards.  if that is so, I wonder if that
explains why a twelve pound hammer from the U.S. would need more dopeing
than a twelve pound hammer from Europe.  just a thought.... any feed
back on that one?

Barrie.



In article <20344450101829@DEBCOM.BE>, Peter Kestens
<KESTENS.P@Debcom.be> writes
>PETER KESTENS
>BELGIUM
>KESTENS.P@Debcom.be
>
>List,
>I've a vintage Bechstein  grand (about 7 ft) and want to do a compleet
>restauration; does anyone of you can tell me if  I have to take special
>precautions with such an old boy.
>I've found two numbers: one on the plate and the other where the pedals are
>attached. Which one stays for the exact age of this instrument?
>
>





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Barrie Heaton                                  |  Be Environmentally Friendly
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