Bechstein-restauration

Barrie Heaton Piano@forte.airtime.co.uk
Wed, 19 Mar 1997 21:41:00 +0000


Hi Les,

I have test weighed mine in the past and did keep records of the first
and last of each break the gram equivalent.  Unfortuneately a few years
ago my book with all my streinging sizes from years back plus my records
of washers under agrafts and downbearing measurements went walkies.  And
never walked back again.  Has anyone on the list keept similer records
of the various pound to gram ratio on the first and last of each break
for the different makes.

Regards,

Barrie.


n article <Pine.BSI.3.95.970318190603.14281B-
100000@buffnet7.buffnet.net>, Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net> writes
>Hi, Barrie. Quite frankly, I don't know how they're measuring sheets
>of felt here today, but I believe that years ago they measured in
>at 36X43 inches. Today with hammers coming in from all over the
>world, distinctions such as twelve pound, fourteen pound, etc,
>mean less than they once did. The only way to be sure of what you
>really have, and what you're trying to match up to, is, as Newton
>just pointed out, to weigh them individually in grams.
>
>Les Smith
>lessmith@buffnet.net
>
>
>On Tue, 18 Mar 1997, Barrie Heaton wrote:
>
>> 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?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Barrie Heaton                                  |  Be Environmentally Friendly
>> URL: http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/piano.htm  |  To Your Neighbour
>> The UK PIano Page                              |
>> pgp  key on request                            |  HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED
>>
>>
>
>





--

Barrie Heaton                                  |  Be Environmentally Friendly
URL: http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/piano.htm  |  To Your Neighbour
The UK PIano Page                              |
pgp  key on request                            |  HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED





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