Hi Les, I have started to keep records again. but of course, in the ten years since I lost my records, I don't do any were near as much re-stringing work as I did when I worked for industry. I did re-condition a few Baldwins about 15 years ago, as we have an agent in this area which imported Cons and Baldwins. I found the repetition spring susspended from the damper slap rail on uprights a pain. Especially making a complete set by hand. I've wrote to Simon a few times, I believe he is coming to live in the U.S. when he qualifies. Take care, Barrie. In article <Pine.BSI.3.95.970319202409.9744A- 100000@buffnet7.buffnet.net>, Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net> writes >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 >> >> > > -- 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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