Bechstein B hammer rake / more thoughts

[David Ilvedson]

How did you determine the hammers previously installed were for a 212 Bechstein?   

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: ricb at pianostemmer.no
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 6/22/2008 6:32:04 AM
Subject: Bechstein B hammer rake / more thoughts


>Hi all,

>Just got what on the surface of it is much better advice from a
>fellow who used to work at the old Bechstein factory, and another
>fellow who runs a factory in Denmark. Both with the German meister
>degree, and both had the same thing to say.

>Bechstein bore length is figured from by taking taking the string
>height subtract the shank center pin height, and subtract 3 mm more.
>The only fudging needed beyond that is to compensate for any changes
>in string height due to the way the plate may have been installed,
>and this by and large confines itself to a couple mm. The design
>simply calls for the shank to be 3 mm higher at the end of the shank
>then it would be if it was horizontal at impact. Nothing like
>straight forward advice.

>There is no problem with getting the action in and out... I could
>have the hammers 10 mm higher then they are with no problem. The only
>clearance problem is the actual space between the end of soundboard
>and the beginning of the pinblock for hammer travel, and this only in
>those well known areas in the top two sections. My only concern with
>changing hammer rake has been creating a problem there.

>Following the above advice has worked out perfectly. Very easy to get
>close to a perpendicular to string orientation without draconian
>rakes. 

>Turns out this instrument has the wrong hammers on.  Someone put on a
>set for a Bechstein 212 and this is a B.

>Still, this whole subject matter, prompted by some bright thoughts by
>John Delecour a couple of month back as got me thinking about a more
>considered approach then what I've been working with, and what the
>usual advice seems to be up to now.

>Cheers
>RicB