Hi list Going on vacation soon,, but before I do I just wanted to throw in one I bumped into yesterday. I have been doing a bit of work on an older Rønisch piano. We had it in the shop and stripped it down, tried my hand at french polish (which by the way is like really tough to get any real written information about), restrung, new hammerheads, new keytops etc etc. I have been haveing trouble keeping it regulated well, and was beginning to wonder what the frog was going on when I happened to notice yesterday that there was a big screw on the back side of the action at the "V" break on the plate that wasnt sitting really all that tight against the peice of leather glued to the plate right there. So I gave it a couple quick twists, made sure it was firm against the plate and "Voualala.." The thing felt about 10 times more solid and firm to play on. I whipped through the regulation once more and this old beater played like a dream, damped much better and the action was a bit quicker. Now being a rather seasoned salt I should have perhaps known to check this screw, probly should have learned this one about 20 years ago. I have seen this screw often enough without ever paying more attention to it then to make sure it wasnt rattling against the plate. (DUMB !) It had frankly never dawned on me that this screw being a bit to far away from the plate could make so big a difference. When thinking about it it only makes sense of course. This is usually found on older pianos that have just two action brackets. This makes for a weak construction with a long span of wood for the main rail. Stressing the rail outwards just a bit from the plate by turning this screw out enough provides for a good deal of added stability, both vertically and horizontally. I write this all (in all humbleness for my lack of observation through the years regarding this) as I figured I probly wasnt the only one to miss this little guys importance. So anytime you run into one of those old fellows with two action brackets and this "push screw" at the V in the plate, make sure to check it. Perhaps it is not always so critical, but in this case it made a world of difference. Anybody out there who has a more "school book" description of the reason for this screw ?? Richard Brekne I.C.P.T.G. N.P.T.F.
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