Another 'illimitable repetition action'

[David Boyce]

My last client today had bought an old upright very cheaply on Ebay. Sadly it wasn't worth working on. It was one of those 1950s-modernised English birdcage pianos from the early 20th century. The tuning pins were loose and it wasnt worth doing CA treatment because all the felt parts in the piano were badly motheaten.

I was interested to see, however, that the action had both bridle tapes AND spring & loops, just like the Schwander Illimitable Repetition Action action, but by a different company, from Paris. The name started with a G (there was a label on the back of the action) but I didn't write it down and have forgotten.  Interesting to see an action like that - presumably more expensive - in a straight strung birdcage piano.

Best regards,

David.

[Joseph Garrett]

David,

Del Fandrich has corrected me numerous times: "It's not Straight Strung". "It's either Parallel or Flat Strung." Once I actually thought about what he was saying, I then agreed.<G> Just FYI.

Best,

Joe

Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
gpianoworks.com

[Jurgen G]

David, I find it interesting that you refer to all these actions with  jack assist springs as "Illimitable Repetition Actions".  While I am familiar with  the spring mechanism and have seen in it various European brands,  I have only seen reference to the term "Illimitable" in  Canadian Bell pianos from Guelph, Ontario.  They claimed to have patented that feature in 1900.  (I have little doubt it was used earlier by Bechstein et al.) Perhaps it was more of a trademark  of a name (Illimitable) than a patent?

In any case, in my opinion, the term "Illimitable Action"  really only applies to the original Bell pianos that had this feature - they were the only ones to call it such.  It was strictly a marketing term. The word "illimitable" itself is so arcane (and not descriptive or self-explanatory at all), I think we should limit its use to the only piano to which it was applied.

Repetition assist or other would probably be best when speaking of this same feature in other brands.
jg

PS Parisian action makers starting with G could have been Gehrling & Douillet or Gerhling Fils

On Monday, December 2, 2013 4:35:41 PM UTC-8, David Boyce wrote:

.....

[Keith McGavern]

 Joseph Garrett wrote:

Del Fandrich has corrected me numerous times: "It's not Straight Strung". "It's either Parallel or Flat Strung." …

I fail to see Straight strung as being unacceptable nomenclature per the testimony given via a third party.
Parallel Strung at least makes some degree of sense. Flat Strung makes no sense.

Anyone care to elaborate?
Keith

[Regi Hedahl]

Flat Strung as in "Single Plane Strung" like this Bush & Gertz 76 key grand.

Regi

piano...@gmail.com

[Keith McGavern]

Regi Hedahl wrote:

Flat Strung as in "Single Plane Strung

Okay, I get "Flat Strung" now, as opposed to overstrung. Still pretty strange terminology approach from my point of view.
Tks, Regi.
Keith

[Joseph Garrett]

Extremely Flat...as in no picture on a Flat Screen!

Joe

Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
gpianoworks.com

[Isaac OLEG]

SOrry, no action maker name cames to mind We had "Union" actions, Schwander, Herrburger, certainly more before 1900.

May be Goery ? You can find a very complete list of brands with the letter "G" there :

http://home.scarlet.be/lieveverbeeck/autres_marques_francaises_g.htm

Very documented web site on French and Belgium made pianos.

[David Boyce]

Jurgen I am sure you are right about it being a trademark of Bell, and I've never been entirely happy with using the term, but didn't know what else to call it.  I did put it in inverted commas in the subject line - a nod in the direction of acknowledging that it's a trademark name!  I'll stick to the term jack assist spring now, and will amend my Bechstein page where I mention it.

I think the action may have been Gehrling Fils (who was Gehrling Pere and what did he do?).  "Medaille d'Honneur" on the label and all that stuff.

Best regards,

David.

[Isaac OLEG]

Sure, Gehrling

I feel a strong air blow  in my memory, somebody may have forgot to close the door...

[Isaac OLEG]

piano actions, since 1842 - Charles Gehrling - Paris

Documented there :(French language only)

http://home.scarlet.be/lieveverbeeck/pianos_francais_1840_1849.htm