great article in the latest Journal by Davenport on backcheck installation... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: rwest1 at unl.edu To: caut at ptg.org Received: 4/28/2009 2:35:25 PM Subject: Re: [CAUT] New Backchecks? >I don't remember if the back checks were replaced on that piano. But >back checks can be tricky. There were many posts about Steinway and >changes over the years. Well, you have to include back checks in >that discussion. A few years ago Steinway switched to a very stiff >wire, so stiff that you couldn't adjust the back check without >compromising the hole in the key. They started using a multi- >laminate piece glued to the key at the base of the wire. But if you >used those new back checks in old softwood keys, you had to buy a >front/back wire bending pliers. Trying to bend the wire with your >finger or thumb was difficult and hard on the key. Newer Steinways >seem to have a little less stiffness in the wire, but not much less. >I've used non-Steinway back checks, but the fluting can be a problem >as well as the diameter and length. If the length of the wire is too >long to get proper back check height, you have to clip off some of >the wire. That shortens the length of fluting that will hold the >wire in the hole in the key. >Fred Sturm said he preferred the less stiff variety. I have to >agree. So why did Steinway change? And why were the old back checks >long on wood and short on wire? And why are some back check wires >installed at an angle, while others are installed vertically with an >extreme bend in the middle? >Richard West >On Apr 28, 2009, at 9:18 AM, Paul T Williams wrote: >> >> To >> cc >> Subject >> New Backchecks? >> >> >> >> >> Hi all, >> >> How often do y'all replace your backchecks on concert grands? >> Where is the cut-off point? One of our D's is getting new hammers >> and an action overhaul this summer. The BC's are looking a bit >> tired, but no cut-throughs on the leather. Some in the middle are >> getting pretty thin. I think Richard West told me the action was >> "completely"(?) rebuilt about 15 years ago and it gets a lot of use >> for recitals and rehersals all school year long. It's a 1980 Sty >> D. The BC's might even be original and not part of the stack >> rebuild. Richard, are you checking out e-mails this morning? >> >> Thanks all. >> >> Paul
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