Baldwins are fairly unusual in their design. The pneumatics are glued
to bellows cloth, not directly to wood, as most are most others. When
the pneumatics are removed, the cloth is destroyed and must be replaced.
One way I use to keep track of pneumatic placement is to measure and
keep record of the distance from the hinge of the pneumatic to the back
of the deck. Transfer that distance to the new cloth with a pencil and
that will be your line for the back edge.
For spacing left and right, use the valve cover. It often has a dust
shadow that indicates spacing.
You might also make a mark on the vertical surface of the pneumatic
sides, before you disassemble them. Transfer that mark to the new cloth
using a square and your pencil.
There is very little room between the hole to the pneumatic and the
edge of the board, so don't cut the hole in the new cloth too big and
don't go too far forward when you glue down the pneumatics. Dry fit
them to see that they line up properly.
One more hint: Make sure you put the fingers back on the pneumatic they
came from. The fingers have different angles on them so that the stack
fits properly to the piano action.
Although Baldwins are a little strange in design, I have found them to
be quite responsive.
Jeff Davis, Seattle
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