John Broadwood grand

[Wesley Hardman]

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RE: John Broadwood grandDave, Thanks for the information.  I am going =
tomorrow to look at the piano.  I can't recall ever having seen one in =
this part of the country, so I'm looking forward to seeing what really =
is the shape of the instrument.  I really appreciate you giving me =
beforehand warning as to what to expect.=20

Wesley Hardman
Scottsboro, Alabama
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Dave Doremus=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 7:20 AM
  Subject: RE: John Broadwood grand


  A couple of thoughts. I would doubt the date unless you have looked =
into it very carfeully, Broadwood serial numbers are confusing to say =
the least. The main issue is the pinblock, with pins threaded into the =
plate you may have to plug and redrill using 1/0 pins, larger can make =
things too close to plate struts and each other. Hammers are best =
recovered, the original moldings are very light and unless you can =
duplicate that you will have weight problems in a single escapement =
action. Shanks are cedar, make your own. Dampers are threaded into the =
underlevers which are hinged with leather or parchment, handle carefully =
and take good measurements before disassembling. Butt leather can be =
critical to a good feel. Be wary of hitch and bridge pins, I have had =
them break when pulled up to pitch. 435 is open to debate. If you look =
at the Helmholtz pitch appendix, Broadwood may have tuned as high as =
450+. That said, it is my preference to keep old instruments at lower =
pitch to reduce stress, I like 430 just because it's a convevient early =
music choice, some prefer 425 ar even 415 for ease of transposing, if =
necessary. The bass can be nice, the treble often thin and with little =
sustain, although if you hear a recital on one in a small room you will =
be surprised how well it carries. They do not sound great at low pitch, =
I did pull one to 455 a few years back and thought it improved the sound =
a lot, but was too nervous to leave it there.....






  ----Dave


  -----------------------------
  Dave Doremus, RPT
  New Orleans
  ------------------------------
  On 12/2/04, D.L. Bullock said:


    They are great pianos.   They are wing shaped grands with a corner =
usually.  Everyone I have seen has been rosewood.  Lovely cases.  They =
have all the hammer butts strung on a wire.  Every one I have restored =
was a single escapement action.  Ronsen will duplicate the hammers on it =
for originality in restoration.  They are very fine instruments =
otherwise Beethoven would not have used them and we all know he liked =
them.   It tunes to 435, by the way.
      =20

     -----Original Message-----
    From: Wesley Hardman [mailto:hardman@hiwaay.net]
    Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 8:44 PM
    To: Pianotech
    Subject: John Broadwood grand

      List,

    Someone called today about a John Broadwood grand that he bought at =
an auction.  According to his research, the piano was made in 1824.


--=20



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