open face block

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: <JIMRPT@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: March 21, 2002 7:36 AM
Subject: open face block


> Hey y'all...
>  I just saw an 1870 something Knabe, rosewood case, very well
> restored/rebuilt. An unusual feature of the rewhatevering was the use of a
> bare pinblock. The block was face angled to match the plate and all of the
> layers of the block are visible where the angle cuts across the various
> layers.........actually not unattractive!
> Question???....Is there anything wrong with using a 'bare' block like
> this?....In other words any negative thoughts as to future viability of
> appearance?  While the more 'traditional' approach would have been to use
an
> exoctic veneer facing of some sort this particular configuration doesn't
look
> bad...any downside(s)???
> Jim Bryant (FL)


Jim,

I've done this several times--a couple of flat-strung Chickerings come to
mind--and can't find (or see) anything wrong with the practice. I used
Delignit because of the relatively thing laminations and then used the glue
line to help me establish a bevel angle as the pinblock curved around to
follow the agraffe line. To help tie things together I painted on a couple
of coats of System Three Coating Epoxy which is quite thin and saturates
rather deeply into the wood surface; especially into the end-grain. My
theory was that if the thing was going to create a problem it would be
there. The pinblocks drilled nicely and strung nicely as well.

I also like the nice veneer over the open face block, but some of these
things prevent a real challenge with the various compound curves. More than
one I've encountered was simply painted gold from the factory.

As you indicate, it does give a interesting look. I rather like it.

Del