Unglued Hammerheads (Clamping)

[Phil Bondi]

I have, as I'm sure most of us have, encountered this and have been faced
with cost vs. the point of diminishing return.

3 years ago I was asked to tune a very nice Kawai Console for a very nice
elderly couple. She also told me that a few of the keys were sticking when
she pressed the damper pedal.

When I arrived, and upon a breif inspection, I saw that approx. 2 dozen
hammer heads were coming unglued from the moldings. The ones that were
coming loose from the bottom molding were the ones hanging up on the
dampers, causing the notes to 'stick'.

There was also evidence that the previous tech had attempted to secure loose
hammer heads with glue and thread. I showed her what was happening, and
explained that attempting to glue and clamp these hammers was possibly a
waste of my time and her money. I told her how much it would cost to replace
the full set of hammers, and of course that was too much money, so she asked
me to do my best in trying to glue and clamp.

This summer I will be replacing the hammers. All of a sudden it's not too
much money to replace the hammers..and I'm pretty sure their income is
pretty fixed. I also pointed out to her that this piano was very worthy of
replacing the hammers and that she would be very pleased with the results.

This is an instance where I felt pretty sure that these people weren't going
to go for the complete job. The instrument is worth the investment.

..then there's the other unmentionable instruments that are family heirlooms
and it hasn't been tuned since Aunt Sophie was a little girl, but now little
Bobby is banging around on it and the family heirloom needs to be tuned. In
a case like this where I see hammer heads coming unglued, I point it out to
them, tell them that whatever I do to try and remedy the situation has no
guarantee, do my best with CA and spring clamps, and call it a day. If
little Bobby starts to take off and show a real interest in the piano, the
family will come up with the money for a real instrument, otherwise it's
destined to continue to be a picture holder.

..so Richard, I agree.

Phil