[pianotech] shimmed Schimmel

[Richard Brekne]

    Hello!

Kerfs from the factory are not in themselves uncommon... but what you 
describe looks like somebody later on got into the picture.  If the 
front rail is held up by the kerf off the key bed, then sand it flush 
and bed the thing.  Whether you should remove the shims or not kinda 
depends on whether they are actually performing some useful function. 
You could always remove them... see if the front rail boings up on you 
and if so re-shim  a little more professionally.

I wouldn't add more veneer unless the lip of the front rail has been 
sanded away and you actually need it.  Sand the shims flush... do a good 
bedding job and see if that works well first

Cheers
RicB


    I was partway into regulating a Schimmel 208T grand that was made in
    the early 90s. The customer bought it from a lady who claims she
    purchased it new and had minimal servicing while in her possession.

    When I started to bed the front rail.... things got weird.. There is
    a saw kerf cut into the center of the front rail...  Does ANY piano
    manufacturer do this??
    There were three thick veneer shims glued to the front rail also.
    They are not sanded flush to the rail... they really stick out. I
    can slip a section of 150 grit emery cloth under the center of the
    front rail between two of the shims when everything is screwed down!
    This is the area beneath the kerf.

    My initial impulse was to remove those shims...  but I packed things
    up and will go back next week with a ~long~ straightedge to check
    for warping...
    I want to check the level of the keybed too... it was somewhat
    messed up and repaired with some cheap wood filler. It makes me
    wonder if the keybed is possibly warped.

    Anyway...  Has anyone ever seen anything like this on such a newer
    piano?  Think I might have a real challenge on my hands once I
    remove those shims?  Is there anything you suggest I check prior to
    digging in? -  Surprisingly, there is no knocking, even at the
    raised part of the front rail at the kerf, save  for a section less
    than an octave long at the upper treble. I am wondering if worse
    comes to worse, to just put another piece of veneer on the rail at
    the gap that knocks.... eeeeww!  
    What might be the worst-case scenario here?

    I have posted pictures of this mess here...

    http://neesium.com/shimhack/


Any observations would be greatly appreciated!

Michael Musial RPT