Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > May 1996 > 1996.05.06 > 02Prev  Next


RE: Reproducing Mechanisms in Concert Grands
By Craig Brougher

I was interested in the arrangement mentioned by Brian Thornton regarding concert hall concert grand motor arrangements. I retrofitted a gutted concert Chickering a few years ago too, and noticed that there had once been mounted three motors. Two ac motors, and one dc motor. The two ac motors I learned, were shived together, and then a large motor pulley drove the pump at about double speed. The dc motor was used for those stages that had dc power.

I got around the double motor arrangement by taking a later model "B" motor to the motor shop and having them wind it in such a way that it doubled its power so I could use the oversize pulley. But if your crankrods in the pump are maple, they will not stand up under that pressure very long. The rods started to knock after two weeks of playing. So before I went to the expense of replacing everything will ball bearings, I made another set of wooden rods from the highest quality delignite pin plank material, and I made them as extra wide as I could possibly get in. It was a great choice. And to this day, I am told that piano is "peeling the wallpaper off the walls."

Craig B.
craig_brougher@msn.com

(Message sent Mon 6 May 1996, 14:44:42 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Concert, Grands, Mechanisms, Reproducing

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page