John S. Barford
ANSWERED ON THIS PAGE:
What does rebuilding involve?
What is restringing and repining?
My pins are not tight enough to hold a tune. What can be done?
Can the feel silky smooth that my piano once had be restored?
Can the rich tone that my piano once had be restored?
What does rebuilding involve?
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My pins are not tight enough to hold a tune. What can be done?
Rebuilding
Submit your Question
on the CONTACT page!
What is restringing and repinning?
CAN THE RICH, EVEN TONE THAT MY PIANO ONCE HAD BE RESTORED?
Old hammers have lost their clean, even striking surface with the formation of deep hard grooves, between mounds of soft felt. Installation of new hammers is one item of the rebuilding processes that can restore the rich tone that the piano once had. Other items would include strings & soundboard. Pictured are new Grand & Upright hammers along with new shanks, flanges, and knuckles (on grands) / butts (on uprights). [HOME] [TOP OF PAGE]
Can the feel silky smooth that my piano once had be restored?
MY PINS ARE NOT TIGHT ENOUGH TO HOLD A TUNE. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Tuning pins are available in sizes ranging from 1/0 ("one aught") to 7/0 ("seven aught"). Pictured is a 2 1/2" long 2/0 diameter pin along side a 2 1/4" long 5/0 pin. If the block of hardwood that the tuning pins are set in is being replaced, then typically a 2/0 diameter tuning pins is used. However if replacing the pin block is not a viable option, then oversize pins can be used in the existing pin block for a tight fit. - Also pictured is a "plate bushing" that fills the gap created by the larger hole in 1/2" thick the cast iron frame that is over the tuning pin hole. [HOME] [TOP OF PAGE]
Can the rich tone that my piano once had be restored?
WHAT IS REPINNING AND RESTRINGING?
This refers to the complete replacement of all tuning pins and strings. String diameters and lengths are measured and duplicated. If the original pin block (the block of wood that holds the tuning pins) is not being replaced, then larger diameter tuning pins are used during the rebuilding to ensure they are tight enough to hold the string tension. - Example of an older upright is shown with new oversize tuning pins and new strings. [HOME] [TOP OF PAGE]
CAN THE SILKY SMOOTH FEEL THAT MY PIANO ONCE HAD BE RESTORED?
Note the picture comparing an old grand hammer, shank, knuckle & flange on top with a new shank knuckle & flange below. Note in the enlargement how the old knuckle is flattened and deformed on the bottom right in comparison with the new round knuckle. Old & new upright butts pictured on right. As the jack pushes up on the knuckle, raising the hammer, the jack eventually slides across the face of the knuckle as it escapes. When the knuckle is new and round, this feels silky smooth to the touch, When the knuckle gets flattened as in the top photo, this produces a choppy feel when you play. New parts restores the silky feel that your piano had. [HOME] [TOP OF PAGE]
WHAT DOES REBUILDING INVOLVE?
While reconditioning involves working with the existing parts, rebuilding often involves the replacement of these parts. Partial and full rebuilding can include any of the following and more:
GRANDS: The replacement of: Soundboard, Bridges, Pin Block, Tuning Pins, Strings; Hammers, shanks, flanges, repititions; Damper felts & action; Key tops, buttons, bushings; - The rebuilding of: Soundboard, Bridges, Lyre assembly; - Refinishing of the cast iron plate and exterior finish.
UPRIGHTS: The replacements of: Soundboard, Bridges, Pin Block, Tuning Pins, Strings; Hammers, shanks, butts, whippens; Damper felts, flanges, levers & heads; Key tops, buttons, bushings; The rebuilding of: Soundboard, Bridges; Pedal assembly; Refinishing the cast iron plate and exterior finish. [HOME] [TOP OF PAGE]
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