Hi, Barrie. My sincere sympathy regarding the loss of your records. That kind of information represents a loss which can't be measured in dollars and cents... pardon me, pounds and shillings! As regards stringing scales, here in the states we have John Travis' widely-used "A Guide To Re- stringing", but it focuses of American-made pianos, and would be of little use to you when working on UK pianos. As for the other infor- mation, techs who keep such records usually keep it to themselves and as far as I know there isn't any single source book you could go to to get it (YET!) Further, your main need would seem to be for info relating primarily to UK and other European pianos, rather than Amer- ican-made instruments. Although, I assume you're probably seeing Asian- made pianos in the UK in recent years, too. (This is a personal opin- ion. based upon he few I've seen and played, but I doubt that you'll encounter any Asian pianos with the kind of tone-quality found in a vintage Broadwood!) I know that this advice is coming a little late, nut I assume that you've resumed your record-keeping. I also assume that the records you lost didn't go "walkies" by themselves! I would recommend keep- ing all your records in your computer now PLUS keeping at least two copies on floppy disk. If possible PASSWORD-PROTECT your informa- tion. This way, even if your whole computer "goes walkies" (!) no one else will be able to access the information. If, on the other- hand, you decide that you would like to share some information-- like a stringing scale-- with another technician (Like my UK tech- nician/friend Simon Husbands), you can simply print out the scale for him on your computer printer and not have to let them have the opportunity to walk off with your entire record-book and "forget" to bring it back. (NOT Simon. of course!!!!). I hope this helps. Les Smith lessmith@buffnet.net On Wed, 19 Mar 1997, Barrie Heaton wrote: > 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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