Westminster Chime out of tune

[pigsy10]

Hi all
The chimes on my latest Enfield clock seems to be out of tune on one rod, see video link below:



I was wondering if shortening the rod a little would solve the problem or do I need a longer rod?
Any suggestions would be appreciated,

Thanks

 

[RickNB]

The rod needs to be longer to lower its pitch.

 

[J. A. Olson]

Looks and sounds like the longest rod was replaced and poorly tuned.
You will have to find a new set of tuned rods since mixing and matching rods rarely gives good results.
Tuned sets of rods occasionally turn up for sale on eBay. The new tuned sets being offered by current manufacturers have been unsatisfactory.

I have tuned several customary rod chime sets for antique clocks. Please send a direct message if you're in need of a new set.

 

[Dick Feldman]

Do you think the bad rod is why the clock was for sale, donated or gifted?
Seldom are dependable, working clocks offered for sale.
Dick

 

[pigsy10]

Thanks for your replies. The clock was bought from an on line charity. It has been serviced and keeps accurate time but probably not worth a lot.
I will try a longer rod to see if it improves the chime

 

[Willie X]

Looks and sounds like the longest rod was replaced and poorly tuned.
You will have to find a new set of tuned rods since mixing and matching rods rarely gives good results.
Tuned sets of rods occasionally turn up for sale on eBay. The new tuned sets being offered by current manufacturers have been unsatisfactory.

I have tuned several customary rod chime sets for antique clocks. Please send a direct message if you're in need of a new set.

 

[Willie X]

The lowest note is sharp, so don't mess with the others, not just now anyway.

I would guess that the lowest note (longest rod) was broken and replaced and now is to short. So, a single longer rod may nenall upu need.

If you know someone who is a musician, they can help you sort this out.

Also, the front hammer is lifting after the last note was dropped. That will make your chime start under load, which could explain your slow chime speed. I'm assuming the clock was wound up for the video.

Willie X

 

[NEW65]

I've had this happen many times before. The gongs used in the floor clocks are vulnerable to breakage when the clocks are transported, unless the chime rods are secured.
On the odd occasion when a chime rod does break off leaving the broken bit in the block, a replacement rod must be fitted. I've had as little as 2mm break off a chime rod but still unfit to be reused again.
Re your clock, why not just fit a different gong?
Good luck

 

[wow]

You probably would be much better off if you order a whole new set of rods or send the block to Justin Olson and let him install one of his sets. Once you get the rods right, you should dampen the hammers with something. It sounds like metal on metal. Leather inserts would make the tones much more mellow sounding.

 

[ToddT]

The longest rod also appears to be a slightly different color, also supporting the thought it has been replaced.

 

[pigsy10]

The longest rod also appears to be a slightly different color, also supporting the thought it has been replaced.

Yes the rod is a replacement.
I have now ordered a longer rod which hopefully will resolve the issue.

 

[digitalblsphemy]

I wish you luck. I just went through this myself, chime rods being broken in transit. If your clock is worth the cost to you buy a new complete tuned set that you know will work.

 

[J. A. Olson]

These tall 'pedestal' style diagonal gong blocks have not been made for several years. Spares don't turn up for sale too often.
They were commonly used in English mantle clocks and may be signed along the pedestal's neck.
Enfield, Norland, Perivale, Davall, UKCC, Garrard and Elliott used this style of gong in their mantle clocks.

One purpose of the diagonal gong was to give a deeper, more resonant sound compared to a smaller gong block.
Known makers of gongs to the English trade included Suffolk Iron Foundry and Wagner.
Gongmaking was a very obscure trade with little published information left behind.

Grace's Guide remarks that the chimes on Enfield's Westminster clocks were tuned by hand.
The work was done by a blind man named Ron Smalley.

 

[Dick Feldman]

Yes the rod is a replacement.
I have now ordered a longer rod which hopefully will resolve the issue.

You have a 100% chance that the new rod will not be acceptable without tuning.
If you plan to try to tune the new rod, you maybe should have ordered a half dozen or more to practice on.
My bet is the clock will end being donated to a charity with a sour sounding rod and sold on line--again.
D