Action rebuilding question

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Trout <btrout@desupernet.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: February 09, 2000 5:54 PM
Subject: Action rebuilding question


> ... The problem is, how does one
> accomplish this?  Do you custom mill each of the flanges?  Do you build a
> custom "saw tooth" wippen rail?
>
> Anybody out there ever have one of these to do?  I wouldn't mind passing
> along some input if I could.  The guy is considering just 'revamping'
what's
> there.  Although that wouldn't be bad, it would never be like a new Renner
> action.

----------------------------------------------------------

Yes, this is the standard Bluthner patent action.  In general I agree with
Stephen that these actions can be rebuilt and regulated to perform quite
nicely. But, they are a bit tricky.  Nor will they will ever 'feel' quite
like a modern action.  This is not at altogether a bad thing, it is part of
what gives these instruments their unique character.

Still, there are sometimes valid reasons for replacing them.  It rather
depends on the condition of the action and on what the customer wants.  And
if the customer is generally happy with the action touch and feel, or would
be if it were properly rebuilt and regulated, I see no reason to replace it.
However, if the customer will be happy with nothing but the touch and feel
of a modern action -- or if the action has been pretty much trashed by prior
work -- there may be little choice.  In which case there is going to be a
lot of work in store for your friend.

But, to answer your question... No, you do not make a custom rail.  You make
a new keyset and keyframe and you fit a new action stack complete with
brackets, rails, etc.  Depending on the length of the piano (perhaps on all
of them, I don't recall) the center rail is not parallel to the front rail.
The key geometry will have to be worked out to accommodate the Renner action
stack.  Talk to a good keymaker (I can recommend Rick Wheeler, 503.654-1888.
There are others and PianoTech also comes to mind.).  The most important
part of this project will be the scale stick.  It is essential that an
accurate scale stick be taken at the hammer strike line with the exact
center of each unison marked.  From that, you simply work backwards -- or
frontwards, depending on your perspective -- to the keyfront.

Regards,

Del