Herschede chime adjustment

[wemooz]

I need a bit of advice on how to adjust the chimes on my Herschede nine tube clock. There are the adjustment points for the cord lengths, and also there appear to be adjustments on the operating levers. I am not sure what purpose each of these has, and how to adjust them properly so that each note sounds equally. I would appreciate any advice that I can get.

 

[Cactus50]

Hello wemooz: The adjustment of these is fairly simple even if a little difficult to reach all of the adjustment knobs. The adjustment at the top of the spring controls the space between the hammer and the tube. The idea being that the string stops the spring just short of the tube and the momentum bends the upper part of the spring and strikes the tube - then recoils away. This insures that you don't have a thud or multiple strikes. It is set by loosening the "nut" and then sliding the string forward or back to get the right distance - usually about 1/8 inch from the tube, then tighten the nut and test. The lower adjustment controls the "strength" of the strike - hard or soft- screw the adjuster in to make put more tension on the spring = harder strike, or screw it out =softer. Once you have the upper adjustment set so you have consistant strikes on all hammers, you move to the lower controls to adjust the "tone".

 

[Willie X]

mooz,

Better to NOT adjust the spring tensioners (lower thumbscrews) they are factory set and beter left alone unless someone has already messed with them. Only adjust the string length, either with (newer) spring tensioned thumbnuts, or (older) little tweeser like clamps that allow the string to be pulled foward or back as necessary.

Adjust the string length to get the best sound. To close will buzz, to far will miss.

Bad or harsh sounds are usually attributed to worn through leathers on the hammer tips. These are relativy easy to replace but it can take a while.

Willie X

 

[wemooz]

OK, I understand. But before I adjust the strings, I need to know about the levers that pull the strings. Mine are not in a line. The upper tips of some are closer to the tubes than others. I can either leave them in their present position, or I can adjust them so that they are all the same distance from the tubes. But if I do this, I need to know how to do it. There is a knurled adjustment on the levers at the horizontal bar where they appareently pivot, but I am not sure what its purpose is. I do not want to mess things up, so the more information and guidance that I have, the better the result will be.

 

[shutterbug]

OK, I understand. But before I adjust the strings, I need to know about the levers that pull the strings. Mine are not in a line. The upper tips of some are closer to the tubes than others. I can either leave them in their present position, or I can adjust them so that they are all the same distance from the tubes. But if I do this, I need to know how to do it. There is a knurled adjustment on the levers at the horizontal bar where they appareently pivot, but I am not sure what its purpose is. I do not want to mess things up, so the more information and guidance that I have, the better the result will be.

Sounds like a newer one. As you turn the screw, the thread is shortened/lengthened. You want them approx. 1/8" from the tube. Small movements make big adjustments so go slow. Mine are slotted for a screwdriver, but turn easily by hand. Clockwise shortens the string.