Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 4/30/2010

Question
Mr.Saunders,

 The movement is a 451-053/85 Hermle with the chimes at the rear of the movement.  The chime block is mounted directly to the back of the clockcase which is 1/2" hardwood plywood.  The block is attached securely with 4 machine screws.  The chime rods are black (steel,I presume), with the longest rod approx. 26.5 inches long.

Answer
if the hammers are hitting single strikes and squarely - then I guess the back board construction is all that there is left? Are other parts of the case vibrating when the clock strikes? sides --glass --door? you can try reverse mounting the chime block on the back of the clock with the same holes and whack it with a pencil and try the sound that way.

I have seen some cases factory made with the block mounted to a seperate little wood box with sides but no top or bottom and only 1.5" deep and mounted to the back board might have been for spacing or for sound reasons - not sure --sorry i can't help more