If there is anyone on this mailing list who may either have a supply of brass flanges for our old Chickering Grand or have drawings that we could use to fabricate new flanges out of some other material, we would appreciate a private reply to our e-mail address carsten@prcn.org We would also be interested in finding a technician who has had experience in rebuilding such pianos. We have a machine shop at our disposal here as well as a son who is an expert machinist! Thanking you in advance for any replies. Arlene Carsten -----Original Message----- From: Granholm Bros. <gbros@term.wanweb.net> To: carsten@prcn.org <carsten@prcn.org> Cc: jackdad@term.wanweb.net <jackdad@term.wanweb.net> Date: Saturday, January 10, 1998 4:33 PM Subject: Re: Restoration >Arlene: > >I would tend to agree with your technician that you should carefully >consider a large expenditure on this instrument. This isn't because of the >Chickering's quality, but because of the probable high cost of the >operation. > >Chickering was known for their innovations and experiments in piano design, >particularly in their actions. The brass parts were used in no other >brands, and they are unavailable today, unless you can find a rebuilder who >has stockpiled them out of junked pianos. I suppose you could have a new >set of flanges machined out of brass or another material, but again you >must weigh what this costs against your attachment to the piano. > >Also, an old Chickering is not a typical rebuild, so if I were you, I'd try >to find a technician/rebuilder who's had prior experience with them. If >your current tech hasn't done one (or hopefully more) of these pianos, you >may want to seek out another opinion. If you can't find such a tech in >your area, you could inquire at pianotech@ptg.org. This is a mailing list >of piano technicians, where you'll more than likely get lots of opinions >and free advice. Replies will probably be posted on the list, so if you >want email back, request private replies to your address. > >John Granholm >Granholm Bros Piano >Roseburg OR > >>>We have a 1907 Chickering Grand 5'6" The pin block was ruined by an >>>inept technician although we already had the largest pins available in >>>part of the bass section so a new pin block and new pins seemed >>>appropriate. >>> >>>However, another technician told us that restoring the pin block and >>>putting new pins in was a risky investment because of the fragility of the >>>brass flanges used in the old Chickerings. >>> >>>My husband wonders if these flanges can be replaced by stainless steel or >>>another type of material. We love the piano, but cannot play it now due >>>to the bass being out of tune and unable to hold a tuning. Could you >>>advise? >>> >>>Thank you. >>> >>>Arlene Carsten >>>Carsten@prcn.org > >
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