Pleyel petit patron 25927

 Normally, the grand piano action slides out after removal of the board in front of the keys (the keyslip), the fall board (key cover), and the cheek blocks.  One has to check to be sure no pressure is being placed on the keys at the left and right edge of the row of keys, to avoid breaking off a hammer during removal of the action.  Although this happened to me on another antique grand, I repaired the broken hammer shank and subsequently sold that piano several years ago.  Nothing was visibly obstructing the sides, top or bottom of the action to prevent it sliding out, which leaves the bottom of the action.  You can picture trying to look underneath a drawer that is stuck to find out what is blocking it.  It was very difficult, but using a yardstick and a stiff piece of thin steel for probes (the latter about 18 inches by 8 inches in size), I did find 2 tight spots one of which was visible using a fiberoptic camera to view under the keyframe.  This wa...

 This blog will document repairs on this piano, which was built in France during the reign of Napoleon III (1858).  So far, I spent a great deal of time and effort getting the action out of the piano; now that I can closely examine and service the action I am greatly encouraged that this piano will be able to play at a level very close to it's original condition. However, the piano was quite out of tune at time of purchase.  It needs work to get it in tune, and at a later phase, work on the action for better touch.  I will place future entries and photographs to explain things I will do as we go along. I  have decided to work on the piano myself since I am a certified piano technician, and could not get anyone to work on it in the local community, and did not want to have the action changed to a modern one.  The original action requires regulation which will be a later phase of work, and I will have as my goal to sell the piano.