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Have a 90's B and a 60's S in the shop for clean up. Schaff is out of continuous hinges so I called Steinway. I was warned that they may not be an exact fit when ordering and indeed the hole pattern is not lining up. I was told on the phone they redesigned it 3 years ago (why??).

Does anyone know a source of continuous hinges that match the older style hole patterns before I plug and drill for the new ones?

And yes, I frequently polish (with and without scotchbriting) my brass hardware. On the B I was shooting for fresh from factory look and on older pianos I frequently like the look I obtain doing it myself, it does look a little different than factory-new satin brass.

Thanks,
j

Josh,

Seems like a lot of work for not much benefit. Is this the sectioned hinge with 3 holes per piece?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor

It is. I normally polish them and then scotchbrite them if satin is desired. This is for a 90's B that is on consignment (not the 2015 that I pinged the board about a few weeks ago) and its getting a cosmetic facelift. I thought to splurge on a new hinge.

Can you drill new holes in the hinges iso the piano?

I think I'd just polish the old hinges instead of drilling the new ones. If I can't find hinges with the older hole pattern I'll drill the piano lid for the new hinge and be done with it. But how weird after all these years to change the hinges up. Silliness.

A lot of the old suppliers have gone out of business, and the replacement suppliers may not have the same equipment. But I do not think the old suppliers were that consistent with their hinges. It has been a while since I have removed and replaced hinges, but as I recall, if I did not put each section back in the right place, the screw holes would not line up.

That said, I have some old new stock hinges, probably from the Aeolian factory when it closed. It is not bright brass, however, just satin.