Cracked Pinblock | Grand Piano Pinblock Restoration

Vintage Mason & Hamlin Grand Piano Rebuilding Project | Delaminated Pinblock

As you can see in the photo, it is time for a new pinblock. The original pinblock inside of this Mason & Hamlin Model AA Grand Piano has definitely seen better days. The wood laminations have begun to separate and crack which results in very loose tuning pins and a lack of stability. The tuning pin holes have become enlarged from decades of stress. At this point, a new pinblock is very much needed. When this part of the piano restoration process is required, we custom fit the new pinblock to the specific piano. This is essential for both the structural and tuning stability of the instrument. The good news is that the piano overall is in very good condition and we look forward to completing this fine, golden era instrument. [Vintage Mason AA Grands measure 6’2″ in length and are considered some of the finest pianos under 7′ that were ever built.]

Mason & Hamlin AA | Cracked Pinblock

The pinblock along with the piano’s plate must withstand approx. 40,000 lbs of string tension. Due to this tremendous amount of stress, it is essential that the new block is crafted and installed correctly. There are many times when the original pinblock can be reconditioned allowing it to serve well for many more years. However, that was obviously not recommended in this case. When highest stability is required, it is best to replace the original pinblock with a new one that is custom made for the piano.

Click here to learn more about our pinblock replacement and repair methods. We will update this post with photos of the new pinblock as the restoration process progresses.

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