Janssen info needed.

[Richard Moody]

Thanks to all who provided information. 
	What Dave suggests is actually the way the bolts, (upper at least) were
put in...  the head from behind, with acorn nuts (I never would have
thought of that term :)  )  over the the primary nuts in front.  Of course
the first thing I did was check their tightness, but alas the bolts turn. 
At least they are not loose enough to have permitted the splitting.  Also
the apparence of the split would make one wonder if it was caused by a
pulling-away tension, or unproperly seasoned wood.
Which leads me to suspect that after the tension is let down and clamps
applied, nothing will happen to the crack.  Anyhow what they say about one
picture worth 1000 words is true here.  This is not the "ordinary"
pinblock seperation from back.
	Siince the piano was at pitch, and from out-of -tuness didn't sound like
a split or seperating block, or look recent, and if it holds it's tune for
the next seven years like it did for the last seven, well you can see why
the client chose the wait and see option.

Richard Moody 

----------
> From: DGPEAKE@aol.com
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Janssen  info needed.
> Date: Thursday, May 28, 1998 9:47 PM
> 
> In a message dated 98-05-27 12:50:52 EDT, you write:
> 
>
> Another idea is to put the carriage bole in from the backside, bolt it
to the
> plate side, then install an acorn nut.  It looks a lot more
professional, more
> decorative, and saves time.
> 
> Dave Peake, RPT
> Portland, OR

original message....

I recently tuned a Janssen console 116331 (1952) and noticeced a split in
some parts of the pin block joining or near the frame, looking down from
the top.  I also noticed that the top bolts seemed to go all the way
through, so the traditional repair of drilling these all the way through
is moot. It looks like a carrage bold was used, and the head came in from
the back, and the nut and a cap nut put in front. (the tuning pin side).  
 I am wondering if this was from the factory.  
	By coincedence the next week I tuned an Everett console.  also from the
50's and noticed the same thing. The top plate bolts completely through
with the threaded end on the tuning pin side. .   I had never seen this on
an Everett, and I used to tune for a dealer who sold them, perhaps it is
something I never noticed.   The block to frame seams were solid in this
case.  

As far as the cracks in the Janssen, we are watching.  I don't see how
they can appear with the plate bolts going all the way through.  Maybe
it's just wood shrinkage, and NOT the pin block trying to pull away??? The
piano was at pitch. 

comments suggestions ?  

Thanks

Richard Moody.