Author Archives: benfairlightedwards

Grand Hammer Notch

Posted on April 1, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Some older grands (even up to the 1930s), rather than a roller, have a notch on the hammer shank. The notch on this Cramer grand, once brushed up and rubbed with soapstone (see Grotrian-Steinweg Rollers), gave a perfectly good and … Continue reading →

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Key Fillings

Posted on April 1, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Ivories can easily get chipped at the front. For this Cramer grand, I first re-glued 2 dozen of the fronts, then had to fill the chipped ones. Here, I used an epoxy resin with a splash of white guache. It’s … Continue reading →

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Key Release in Spain

Posted on March 23, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

High humidity levels seem to be widespread in Catalunya – as the common problem of tight keys shows. Steinway, Yamaha, and fortepiano were all in need of having their keys released at the balance and/or chasing points: I am returning … Continue reading →

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Fortepiano Gerard Tuinman

Posted on March 21, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

This lovely fortepiano by Gerard Tuinman (Utrecht, Holland) is owned by Heidrun Bergander. Just look at the delicate hammer action!

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Grotrian-Steinweg Rollers

Posted on March 20, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Brushing up rollers (using a suede brush) is essential for a clean, smooth set-off and aftertouch. The brushing not only partly removes indentations from the repetition lever, it also helps remove most of the Winslip (other anti-friction coatings are available) … Continue reading →

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Steinway Repetition

Posted on March 10, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Steinway Repetition Steinway Repetition It is worth repeating! As fast as you can? Well, all too often, the repetition springs are set tooooo tight. Of course, this is to ‘improve’ the repetition. But then the hammers start ‘bubbling’ (uncontrollably re-striking … Continue reading →

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Steinway Regulating After Touch

Posted on March 10, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Regulating the Aftertouch is definitely a touchy-feely operation! Once keyboard and keys, brushing-up rollers, levers-to-hammers, blow distance, jacks-to-rollers, set-off & drop have all been adjusted, basic depth of touch and aftertouch can be regulated. The depth of touch is just … Continue reading →

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Steinway D Tuning – Like Home

Posted on March 10, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Ah! Tuning a Steinway D – it’s just like being back in the factory, everything’s so familiar and straightforward – especially when it’s a superbly reconditioned instrument by Jeff Shackell.

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Upright Piano Voicing

Posted on March 1, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Voicing an Upright Piano – especially when it’s only being ‘equalised’ (evening out the response) – is usually quite quick and easy, because you don’t have to keep moving the whole keyboard/action in and out of the piano! The actual … Continue reading →

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Benjamin Guitar at Work

Posted on March 1, 2012 by benfairlightedwards

Here’s a promised photo of my Orchestra Model guitar, built by Nick Benjamin, which I picked up on my birthday, in December. The pic shows the gorgeous steel-string already at work – its first recording, for my second CD of … Continue reading →

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