Gentlemen,

We are currently rebuilding a grand piano. This piano had a pin block replaced in 1964. Although we agree on what supplier manufactured the 1st replacement block, both my factory foreman and I were born after 1964, so we are both only speculating really.

Just for fun, let us know your thoughts. Here is a photo taken on my phone:

I have never favoured multi-laminate blocks. Give me the old three ply maple block any day Rich....

Also never liked the pin tightening compounds.

Very similar to Delignit. These high lamination count blocks got a bad reputation mostly because they require extreme care in their drilling. Some people use a two stage drilling method and I personally found that you don't dwell in the drilling cycle, 5-6 seconds max and cool the bit with air between holes. Proper speed and feed and extremely sharp bits on the drilling are the key to success. These blocks dont suffer from the dreaded deep cracking running in a line between pins if properly installed. The laminates are usually laid with the grain direction alternating in a hex pattern or any degree divasable pattern that adds up to the total number of laminates. It allows the end grain to hold equally strong in all directions. Earlier versions of them were purported to contain more adhesives then wood but the laminating/adhesive technology has improved so much over the years that this isnot the case any more from what I heard. The hybrid blocks are a nice combination of both worlds and would be my go to replacement block these days.

Are you sure of that rebuild date? I wasn't aware that Falconwood or Delignit, either one, was available to rebuilders in 1964. It could have been, I just don't remember seeing any of it until the late 70s.

Over 70 years ago the well-established and family-run company Deutsche Holzveredelung was founded by the brothers Alfons & Ewald Schmeing. Today the Deutsche Holzveredelung is running in third generation by Dipl. Ing. Marc Schmeing and Dipl. Ing. Christian Schmeing.

In the mid of the thirties they started with the production of compressed laminated wood. Over the years the production of compressed laminated wood was developed. High-quality red beech veneers are coated or impregnated with a special phenolic resin and are pressed under high pressure. Today the compressed laminated wood is sold under the brand name "dehonit®" worldwide. Today dehonit® stands for a wide delivery programme consisting of high-quality semi-finished products, finished parts and solutions to our customers requirements.

Rich. They have been making this stuff for quite a while. So that is probably what you have in that piano.