soundboard on my 1890's Knabe upright

[Carlos Ralon]

As some may recall... I did rebuild a 1890's Knabe upright.  Yes, the plate could only come out after removing the bass area of the block.  The flange was too tight untill that was done.  The SB ( not SOB) litterally fell apart when the plate came out.  Installed new SB and bass block.  I cannot trust old glue joints when it is put into full time service.  Reamed the rest of the block to accommodate 2/0 X 21/4 pins. (Originals were #1X 2"). With mostly new action parts and new hammers it sounds and plays great.  I still have the piano and will give it away soon to Project Liberty Ship..
Carlos Ralon, RPT
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fenton Murray 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 10:16 AM
  Subject: Re: soundboard on my 1890's Knabe upright


  1890 Knabe upright, ummm, might have been too difficult to remove the plate during the restring ( not rebuild ) which is why the cracks were not shimmed. The cabinet was built around the case on a lot of those. The low tenor is often a problem, grain run out on the bridge there is common (ESPECIALLY on Knabes) and I've seen bridge roll and a loss of bearing in that area. It's not really a recording piano, more money than it's worth to do right. Might have to live with it, Daniel.
  Fenton
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Paul T Williams 
    To: Pianotech List 
    Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 5:22 AM
    Subject: Re: soundboard on my 1890's Knabe upright



    Daniel, 

    It sounds as though the "rebuild" did not include a new soundboard?  Anyway, if you like the sound and it's not buzzing, just let it be.  No, you can't shim from underneath, you would need to de-string remove the plate and shim the cracks. A lot of work, especially for an upright.  Then again, if it starts to buzz, then off to work you go if you think it's worth it! 

    My 2 cents 

    Paul 



          "daniel carlton" <hacicspe at gmail.com> 
          Sent by: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org 
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                Subject soundboard on my 1890's Knabe upright 

                

         



    hey techs 
      
    i've got a rebuilt (rebuilt 2 or 3 years ago) 1890's Knabe upright. nice warm, woody sound, and it's already been used in a few recordings. i'd like to have it sound nice for many more years. i do have one concern. i've noticed a crack or two in the soundboard, and it bums me out to have a rebuilt, beautifully sounding piano with a crack in the soundboard. 
    now i did a few shims at nbss on grands we were rebuilding, but never any uprights... and in the following post https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/2006-January/184497.html, David Ilvedson says you can't shim from behind. 
    so my question is can anything be done to fix the cracks? 
      
    as always, any help is greatly appreciated. 
      
    thanks 
      
    daniel carlton 
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