M & H 'AA'

[Avery Todd]

List,

   I will certainly agree with John on this unless you KNOW that the work
was done by someone who really knows what they're doing. I've done several
of that type of job since I've been in Houston.

>I have learned one thing for certain, It certainly does make it harder
>when you have to work on a previously worked on unit.  You can't take
>anything for granted as to any parts or positionings of, as being correct.
>Regards,
>John M. Ross

   In relation to this, I'm getting ready to write up an estimate for major
action work and possible block/restringing. In examining the piano
yesterday,
a Mason & Hamlin AA (about 6'3", I think) I noticed that it has had an extra
set of let-off punchings glued onto the existing set. The piano is from
app. 1917 and the only thing it has had done is restringing and new
hammers,
shanks & flanges. Wippens and keys are still original, judging by the color
of the wood (they look old).
   Does anyone have an idea why there would need to be that extra set of
punchings in order to get the let-off correct? The only thing I can think
of
is the bore distance on the hammers is wrong. Am I overlooking something
here? The let-off, drop and aftertouch are all within range.
   Also, the bass string wrappings stop about 1" or so from the agraffes, so
I'm going to measure and have it rescaled for replacement strings.
   Before I write up this estimate, ideas on any potential problem that I
would need to correct with the let-off punchings would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Avery

___________________________
Avery Todd, RPT
Moores School of Music
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4893
713-743-3226
atodd@uh.edu
http://www.music.uh.edu/

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