Duane McGuire Blog

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Upright Piano Pinblock Inserts

Category: Shop Work
Date: 2021-11-28

A strong, well-built pinblock is essential to the longevity (and tune-ability) of any piano. Often when re-stringing the existing pinblock is retained, and larger tuning pins are used to achieve good tuning pin torque. However, if the pinblock is in poor condition, this may not be advised and more intensive methods are needed for a high-quality result.

New pinblock material may be inserted into the existing pinblock structure of a vertical piano for a full restoration. This approach is labor intensive, and a bit intimidating, but recent circumstances in the shop allowed me to do this process for the first time. My process and learning are documented here. Chuck Behm's articles in the Piano Technicians Journal are my guidance and inspiration for this work.

View the slide collection below for a detailed description of the work.

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--Duane McGuire

My work: McGuire Piano
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