Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Broken Butt Plate - Replacement part?

I have one broken, threaded, butt plate on a 1900 upright, Ivers Pond Piano, the broken plate is off to the side:



Would this part from Schaff Piano work? Reading Reblitz, it appears this was somewhat a standard part until the 1940s.



Thanks - Rick

Probably, machining any alterations as needed.

I suggest ordering quite a few of the replacement butt plates, if not an entire set. The quality from one to the next is VERY inconsistent. They tend to be too thick, and the screw holes are often drilled off-center, which will throw off hammer alignment. The replacement screws can also be too long, and if not shortened, will be hit by the hammer butt upon installation. Sometimes, you can use the original screw in the replacement butt plate.

If one has broken, you should check to see if others are ready to break. One quick test is to push each hammer and shank toward the strings with your fingers. Let the shank fall back to the hammer rest rail. Listen for any that sound different from the others. You'll hear a rattle if the butt plate is starting to crack.

Ones that are ready to crack will crack when the screws are tightened.

Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.

I found this particularly interesting:

If one has broken, you should check to see if others are ready to break. One quick test is to push each hammer and shank toward the strings with your fingers. Let the shank fall back to the hammer rest rail. Listen for any that sound different from the others. You'll hear a rattle if the butt plate is starting to crack.

Perhaps naively on my part, I have gone through them all and tightened the loose screws. I still have a small number of hammers that return with a small rattle. I will double check those. I'm guessing the rattle could be from other causes, but this is good clue, one that is not easy to see with the naked eye. The piano re-builder that has helped me suggested closing up the case and see if it still bothered me. It hurts my ears.

Thanks,

- Rick

MusicNow,

I have a good number of the original clips. If you want to PM me, I can send you what you need. This would justify the time I spent gathering them in the first place.

Be well,
Craig

PM sent.

- Thank you Craig.

Rick - I don't know if you need any general information about brass rail work, but if you haven't read it already, this article might be useful to you: Brass Rail Repair. Good luck with your project. Chuck Behm

Thanks Chuck. I always enjoy reading your articles. Lot's of photos in this one; easy to follow and understand.

- Rick

Eric just to let you know, there was a problem in the past with the butt plate holes not being centered as you mentioned but the most recent shipments have addressed that problem.

MusicNow,

In the mail.

Craig

Craig,

Many thanks, Butt Plates received (letter sent to Festival of Arts)! As predicted another plate broke while tightening. Everything back in place. Half way done with a pitch raise - broke another bass string, but a nice bright sound overall...

- Rick

I have harvested a bunch of old butt plates from an old piano.

1. New ones are expensive.
2. You can't use the original screw with the new ones.
3. The new ones often need to be filed narrower.

Yes, some may be weakened from age, but they can be inspected with a magnifying glass for cracks, and can be stress tested to see if they break. If they don't, we're good to go.

BTW, they are so many parts on old pianos that are good for recycling. Anyone know of a site that resells these old parts?