[CAUT] 70's St. B strike point

[Dale Erwin]

Should have read

 The real indicator is how the notes sound with the shift pedal in the shift position.
Or so it shifty. :)



Dale Erwin R.P.T.
Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc.
 Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S. pianos
www.Erwinspiano.com
Phone: 209-577-8397

 
  





-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Fri, Sep 14, 2012 2:35 pm
Subject: Re: [CAUT] 70's St. B strike point


I routinely set a curved strike line in these pianos and it is set by ear.  That said I usually find hammer C-64 needs to be pulled in toward the player 3 to 4 mm. This note is always in mu experience the furthest out of line. The hammers typically start the curve at  G-5 and reach the apex of the curve at C -6 from there to note 71 they curve back out. Its a kind of a crescent moon shape in appearance. The aural test is to listen for sustain and clarity of the power. The real indicator is how the notes sound with and with out the shift pedal shifted over. When the hammers are in the non optimal spot the tone is woody, whiny and weak. When the hammers are in the optimal position most of that goes a way. Sustain is the best and soft pedal playing is sweet.
See the pictures attached.
I find  that this is required on all Steinways of most vintages.  Eric Schandall has said"The newer ones have had most of the issues corrected" It the soundboard has potential;....the curved strike line in Steinways can make the difference between a mediocre treble and a spectacular one.


Dale Erwin R.P.T.
Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc.
 Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S. pianos
www.Erwinspiano.com
Phone: 209-577-8397

 
  





-----Original Message-----
From: Delwin D Fandrich <del at fandrichpiano.com>
To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Fri, Sep 14, 2012 11:16 am
Subject: Re: [CAUT] 70's St. B strike point


The V-bar should have a curve to it. It's just that they sometimes got the
curve wrong and sometimes they put the whole thing in the wrong place. In
these cases we have to set the hammers in or out to compensate. 

The exact hammer strike point is not all that critical from the bass through
the tenor. It becomes increasingly critical from the top of the tenor
section up to C-88.

ddf

Delwin D Fandrich
Piano Design & Fabrication
6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA
Phone  360.515.0119 — Cell  360.388.6525
del at fandrichpiano.com — ddfandrich at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Rob
Loomis
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 9:35 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] 70's St. B strike point

I understand that the strike 'line' in this piano should probably be an arc.
The capo certainly is. Referencing a straight line from note # 52 - #88 -
the capo arcs out 10 mm. at note #69.

It's the placement of note #72 that I'm really searching for. I have the
WN&G tool and I've moved the hammers in and out to find the right spot. My
ear agrees with their tool. 

Assuming I bore as usual and don't rake the hammers, if I were to hang
hammers #72 & #88 = 5 1/8" out from the flange center, put in the bass end
block, then pull the treble end of the keyframe out until #72 is correct,
then the treble end of the keyframe is 6 mm. proximal of the proximal edge
of the keybed and hammer #88 is 2mm. closer to the capo than it should be.

Any guidance?

many thanks!

Rob Loomis
On Sep 14, 2012, at 11:30 AM, "Delwin D Fandrich" <del at fandrichpiano.com>
wrote:

> Strike lines are often not a straight line in older pianos. (They 
> should be in modern pianos but it's always wise to check.) You can do 
> this by trial and error--dry fitting #72 and #88 hammers snugly to 
> their respective shanks and sliding them back and forth until you find 
> the right spot--or you can contact WN&G and buy one of their handy 
> little tools designed for just this purpose.
> 
> ddf
> 
> Delwin D Fandrich
> Piano Design & Fabrication
> 6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA Phone  
> 360.515.0119 — Cell  360.388.6525 del at fandrichpiano.com — 
> ddfandrich at gmail.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of 
> Rob Loomis
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 7:56 AM
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: [CAUT] 70's St. B strike point
> 
> Hello-
> 
> I'm trying to hang a set of hammers on a Steinway B from the early 
> 70's. The capo's a bit wonkie, the original hammers were obviously 
> hung strangely - they are raked back and must have under-centered from the
beginning.
> 
> I've got #88 figured out, but am confused about where to hang #72. 
> Does anyone have string length / strike point - or other info - info to
guide me?
> 
> Thansks -
> 
> Rob Loomis
> 



 

 

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