Subject: Time: 10:17 AM OFFICE MEMO Re Steinway Pitman Date: 2/3/96 Steinway now uses a system where the pitman fits into "felt carpeted", recessed holes in the damper tray and sustain pedal trapwork. The hole through the keybed is larger than the pitman and guides it in no way. The advantage to this system -- and Steinway suggests switching to it if possible -- is that the pitman cannot "skate" across the leather bearing on the damper tray and trapwork. It renders this area of the piano virtually squeak free. At Oberlin, we have converted all our Steinways over to a similar system to prevent skating. It works no better than the current Steinway system, but is easy to install as a retrofit. We mount guide pins at the ends of the pitman that fit into holes we drill into the trapwork and damper tray. The bushed hole through the keybed for the pitman is enlarged so that it no longer guides the pitman. The system was suggested to me by my predecessor, Jim Moon, and it ranks as one of those miracle cures for squeaky sustain pedals. Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory
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