i would like to ask you for advice regarding my now unusable piano..
I should mention that I haven't played it for many years, so it is now more of a piece of furniture than an instrument. I had an invasion of mice and they ate 70 hammer feltings (bretelline). Since, as I was saying, I no longer play it, I wouldn't want to spend too much money to fix it and I would like to try replacing the feltings myself. Then, eventually, I will call a technician to do the rest. I have tried looking for information around, but with little success. Do you think attention and patience might be enough, or do I only risk ruining it completely?
Is there anyone who could perhaps explain to me what to do?
Let's say it is a "relatively easy" job. You need to turn the mechanism to see where they are attached. Generally, they come out of the small parametric pin and are fixed right into the hole. But when they are replaced, they are only glued in the same external spot. The fact is that natural hot glue is necessary, which requires knowing how to heat it and having a glue pot. A synthetic hot glue gun is to be excluded. In fact, the glue, which is heated and of animal origin, offers, once dried, the same mechanical strength as wood and the same relative humidity absorption. Furthermore, it has an almost instantaneous grip. The straps must be prepared and cut to size. Therefore, I advise you to entrust everything to a Technician. It is not a very expensive job, but it could be difficult for you. Surely, the mouse has eaten other parts that are not visible, but which might appear when disassembled. Let me know
I hadn't found this thing about the glue, I had read that they can be glued with PVA (white glue).
More than anything, I didn't understand how to detach the "stubs" of those that have been eaten.
But to change 70 tuning pins will take a lot of time, won't it? If I call someone, what would be an acceptable price? Obviously excluding any other possible surprises from the estimate... let's just say the replacement of the tuning pins and the tuning. Keep in mind that the piano had been refurbished 3 or 4 years ago (500ā¬!)
500ā¬....I'll come to Turin: Flanging/felt strips + tuning + regulation check + hammer voicing check + complete piano check-up........
And then all the felt strips must be changed! The cost isn't just for the 10 extra strips! (there are 88 or 85) Regulated. I cannot tell you what might be charged by a technician in Turin. But I believe it could be less than the amount you mentioned. Let me know
For ā¬500, honestly, I don't remember exactly what he did. He certainly tuned it, but then he also changed something, maybe some felts, and then I think he also made various adjustments. It had already been a victim of mice back then and had undergone a move, poor piano
Thanks again for the help. Now I'll look for someone around here and let you know how much they ask me. In fact, if there were any technician from Turin reading this who wanted to step forward...
