Author Archives: benfairlightedwards

Damper alignment

Posted on June 3, 2025 by benfairlightedwards

When dampers are not sitting in the right place on their string(s), they must be cranked L or R accordingly. Standard practise, you’d think (at least, that’s how it’s done in the Steinway factory in Hamburg, where I learned how … Continue reading →

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Hammers have Ears!

Posted on June 3, 2025 by benfairlightedwards

They do – at least when they’re new… This comes from tension in the felt being released upwards when the felt (originally one hammer-set long) is sliced into individual hammer widths. So, for the hammers to strike strings properly over … Continue reading →

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1848 Pleyel

Posted on November 28, 2018 by benfairlightedwards

This ca. 1848 Pleyel needed some serious rescuing of its tuning pins. Once we were sure it could hold pitch at 430 Hertz (common for this period), I could get on with putting it back together – rubbing down the … Continue reading →

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Bechstein String Tangle

Posted on August 29, 2018 by benfairlightedwards

The lid on my 19 guage steel wire tin failed. As I was drawing out a length for this model L Bechstein, the lid suddenly jumped off – and I got THE WHOLE LENGTH…in one big tangled mess! That’s 500g … Continue reading →

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Sticky Spider Keys

Posted on August 26, 2018 by benfairlightedwards

This lovely Bizzi 2-manual (2x 8′, 1x 4′) harpsichord, which I have serviced before, had some sticking keys. The reason was a surprise: a spider’s nest! Upon removal of the keyboard and keys in the treble area, the wee web … Continue reading →

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Concert in Conca

Posted on August 26, 2018 by benfairlightedwards

The pianist Heidrun Bergander decided to fly me over to Catalunya to prepare her Tuinman fortepiano for a concert in Conca de Barbera. Early instruments have much lighter stringing than modern pianos – and so are much less stable in … Continue reading →

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For Sale: Chappell Baby Grand – SOLD

Posted on August 24, 2018 by benfairlightedwards

Reconditioned by me – that means it’s beautifully voiced and sounds very even and open; easy to play. I’m quite enjoying playing it myself! New strings (and bass strings) and tuning pins throughout. Action is thoroughly serviced, with a light … Continue reading →

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Key Spacing – Sharps

Posted on November 16, 2015 by benfairlightedwards

Once re-bushed, all keys (naturals & sharps) may need some fine spacing. This is best done prior to key levelling. The sharps are classically spaced very slightly towards the centre of the keyboard, bearing in mind that the movement of … Continue reading →

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Hammer Felt Trimming

Posted on November 16, 2015 by benfairlightedwards

When hammer heads are angled on their shanks, they can sometimes require trimming (bevelling) to give clearance. I’ve posted on this previously (Hammer Cutting) but these pics show more clearly how to select the required angle (the amount) of bevelling: … Continue reading →

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Upright Damper Regulation – Hoffmann

Posted on November 16, 2015 by benfairlightedwards

First, all damper felts need to be trimmed and/or cleaned. I clean the felts using compressed air – it’s a delicate operation, but well worth the careful effort. Trimming damper felts requires a perfect pair of scissors. Previous posts have … Continue reading →

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