Restoration of a Fischer Ampico for the Hicks family
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160) The last restorer set the key levels at a strangely low
setting. This picture points out the difference between where they were set and
where they should have been set. Upon regulating the action, the key level was
corrected.
161) Clamping the new pin block into place while the glue dries. You don't see
any padding on the stretcher because each individual clamp is well padded.
Clearances with the cabinet make padding on the rim impractical while installing the
plate. Great care is taken not to harm the finish during the process. Of
course, paper can be placed on the rim to protect it but this offers little or no
protection against a 300 pound cast iron plate...
162) After the pin block glue joints have set up, the plate is removed and dowels
installed to reinforce the glue joints.
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163) The plate is about to go into the piano for the very
last time. You can see how the new pin block fits the case perfectly and is glue and
doweled to the case on three sides. A coat of thick shellac is applied to the pin
block at the last second before the plate is installed. This will sort of
"glue" the plate to the pin block, helping the two pieces to become one.
Since the fit of the pin block lip to the plate is 100% perfect, the added adhesion of the
shellac really does turn the plate, pin block and cabinet into one single, very strong
piece.
164) The piano has been repadded in preparation for stringing.
165) The new strings are in place. This picture shows how much more beautiful
the sound board is after proper bleaching and refinishing than it did after the last
attempt at restoration.
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166) Another picture of the strung piano.
167) Regulating the action. I use a magnifying glass to help me see the
indicator better.
168) Regulating the key dip can only be done properly with the action in the piano.
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169) Ready to reinstall the damper underlevers. While
giving the felt of the damper lift tray a good cleaning before reinstalling the assembly,
I noticed that the felt was badly moth eaten. Rather than reuse this old half eaten
felt, new felt was cut and installed.
170) The pedal mechanism is being rebushed and also the leather cushions on the
connecting rods are being replaced.
171) Another picture of the pedals being worked on.
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172) The finished piano while it was still in the shop
receiving its final playing and tuning.
173) Another picture of the finished piano. The piano received about 50 or 60
hours of playing before it was returned. This gave me time to stabilize the tuning
and the action regulation as well as making sure that all the "kinks" were
worked out of the mechanism.
174) The piano loaded on the trailer as it is delivered to the owner.
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175) The owner stands with his piano just after it was
wheeled into the house.
176) The owner watches as the piano is set up and played for him for the first time.
He has owned this piano for over a decade and has never heard it play except when
he played it manually himself. He was extremely pleased with the tone and quality of
the restoration.
177) Another picture of the customer admiring the piano. After the piano was
set up, I stayed at his house and played the piano for a couple of hours to make sure it
hadn't picked up any glitches during transport. We did, in fact, come across one
minor problem with a chain jumping off. This was corrected before I left.
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178-179) Two pictures of the piano set up in its final location at the customer's home.
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