ANATOMY OF A PIANO
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THE PIN BLOCK
The pin block is a laminated hardwood plank that sits under the iron plate at the front of the piano and contains holes where the steel tuning pins are inserted. The pin block
secures the tuning pin so that when a piano string is wrapped around the tuning pin and brought up to concert pitch, the pin block should hold it tightly enough to allow the piano to stay in tune.
Lower quality pin blocks may be more prone to changes in atmospheric conditions. |
If they become defective, usually caused by excessive dryness or high humidity for the acclimatised wood, the piano cannot hold the tuning pins in place and the piano will always be out of tune. To replace a pin block in a grand piano is an expensive operation and is very rarely done in an upright piano due to the cost involved. Multi-laminate woods used for
less expensive pin blocks have excessive layers of glue and this may also lead to tuning instability. Many pin blocks have pressed wood layers – the constant turning of the tuning pin can rapidly wear out the wood construction and enlarge the hole, which eventually reduces holding power. The quality of the pin block, therefore, is important to the life of the piano and a properly designed pin block, made with well seasoned woods, will last the life of the piano if it is kept in the right climatic conditions.
Different manufacturers vary the amount of laminations within the pin block. A Steinway piano, widely recognised as the best piano in the world, contains a pin block with six thick laminations of maple and mahogany-bubinga hard woods
that are alternately turned at 45° angles. |
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