Musical Instrument Restoration
These are pictures of an extremely early
(late 18th c.) American pianoforte I had the honor of
restoring. This excellent example of
early American craftsmanship is owned by a private concern. Instrument is 100% playable. Tuned to A=415 Hz, in even temperament.
Original Leather Covered Hammers
The Gibson and Davis Spinet Piano is double strung for each note.
Note new damper pads installed while
retaining original damper mechanism.
Pin block is solid, not laminated as in a
modern piano. ‘Flat’ tuning pins are
employed. The relatively low tension across the frame make tuning with a harpsichord
style ‘T-wrench’ possible and advantageous.
Delicate inlays, hand carved wooden
filigree and ornamental painting are all original and
remarkably well preserved.
Detail of dampers and hammers
Wooded frame and bridge.
Pinblock detail.
Spruce soundboard remains pliable and resonant even after two
centuries! Partly
attesting to the quality of materials and workmanship but also to the fact that
there is little strain on the sound board in this type of instrument.
The sound is created organically, without undue force, much as in a guitar or
‘cello.
We have elected to retain the original
finish – oiling and polishing it, but not in any way altering the finish. Brass ornamentation was cleaned and polished;
loose wood joints reinforced. All
original materials retained.
Natural bees’ wax was used to polish the
original finish after thorough cleaning.
The top of the ‘lid’ evidences considerable wear and some watermarks
that could not be completely removed without damaging the finish.
Legs and pedal
mechanism were cleaned and polished in some cases pegs were reinforced for
stability. A new steel rod for the
damper pedal pulldown was created as the original was
missing. The steel rod was painted to
match the brass ornaments found on the rest of the instrument. That and the new damper pads are the only ‘modern’
materials used in this restoration.
