Previous Projects
Knabe
Original Manufacturer of this brand-name--Wm. Knabe & Co.
Established--1837, by William Knabe and Henry Gaeble, in Baltimore, MD.
Other brand-names used by this manufacturer--Dubar, Harrison, Hinze, Whitney.
Other manufacturers of this brand-name--Mason & Hamlin (1996-), Samick Music Corp. (2002-).
Source: Pierce Piano Atlas, 12th Edition (2008, Larry Ashley Publisher, Albuquerque, NM).
Note: To obtain the age of your piano and details about the manufacturer, click: Pierce Piano Atlas--"the world's most authoritative publication on piano manufacturers, past and present." To learn how a piano works and how to go about buying one, we encourage you to purchase The Piano Book.
6'2" Wm. Knabe & Co. Grand #36379
Heavy, dark walnut veneer cabinet. Built about 1893. Improved by Ray's Piano Service in 2006.
IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED:
Recondition--Install new damper wires, recondition action (replace defective parts), repair tenor bridge, tighten action screws, replace defective action parts.
Regulation—all adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new (keyheight & levelling, hammer alignment & blow distance, letoff, drop, keydip, damper levers & wires, sostenuto), tune to A-440. Refinish section of lid. Install new music rest support. New padded concert bench included with sale.
Selected pictures of the improvement process taken in our shop
CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE, THEN CLICK "CLOSE" TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE
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Tenor bridge repaired |
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Whippens repaired |
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Rocker capstans regulated |
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Sostenuto regulated |
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56" Knabe Upright #63881
Ribbon mahogany cabinet. Built in 1907. Restored by Ray’s Piano Service, Spring 2003
IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED:
Rebuild—Dismantle. Remove strings, pins, plate. Repair and refinish sound board and bridges. Re-install plate. Install new strings and pins. Rebuild pedal mechanisms.
Recondition Action—Clean, re-install hammers (to correct earlier installation), install new bridle tapes, install new damper pads, tighten screws, replace additional defective parts, rebush keys as needed. Re-install loose and missing ivory keytops. Grind keytops smooth to front edges.
Complete Regulation—Install new underkey punchings. Make adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new: key height, key levelling, hammer blow distance, lost motion, letoff, sustain, spoons. Tune to A-440
Refinish—Reshape keytops to keys, Dismantle, Strip, repair veneer as needed, sand, stain with dark walnut, apply sealer, apply lacquer.
Selected pictures of the improvement process taken in our shop
CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE, THEN CLICK "CLOSE" TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE
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Destringing |
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Regluing soundboard to ribs |
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Shimming soundboard cracks |
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Restrung |
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New handles installed |
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Panels refinished |
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Reassembled |
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Action reconditioned |
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5' 2"Knabe Grand #90648 (1921)
Satin ebony. Built in 1907. Restored by Ray’s Piano Service, Spring 2003
IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED:
Rebuild--Remove dampers, strings, tuning pins, dampers, plate. Repair and refinish soundboard. Replace pinblock. Refinish plate. Restring and repin.
Recondition Action--Remove wippens, damper felts, wippens, back checks. Install new hammers and shanks. Install new wippens. Install new back checks. Install new damper felt. Rebush keys.
Regulation--Replace underkey punchings. Complete regulation, to ensure reliable performance. Tune to A-440.
Repairs, Refinishing--Rebuild lyre, install new lyre supports. Repair and refinish bench, music rest.
Selected pictures of the improvement process taken in our shop
CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE, THEN CLICK "CLOSE" TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE
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Removing pins & strings |
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Plate scrubbed |
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Soundboard cracks shimmed |
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Restrung |
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Keys rebushed |
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New whippens installed |
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New shanks & hammers installed |
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Complete regulation |
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FOR OUR ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER, GO TO THE "HOME" PAGE.
email: rayklapwyk@rayspiano.com
