Dear Albert and List: I have installed underlever springs on new Steinway concert grands and usually find the tension of the springs fairly even. When you feel a difference from one to the next just use finger pressure to lighten the spring. It is difficult to work your way behind the underlevers once the tray is installed to make any adustments but it can be done if necessary. The old Steinway backaction had very heavy springs installed all the way to note #54. It isn't recommended to duplicate the same diameter springs as the original because it can be easily felt in the touch. On larger pianos I have installed springs up to around note #30. On a "D" this really helps the dampening of the tri-chord bass and lower tenor notes. If you are an astute reader of the Steinway parts price list on page seventeen they offered underlever springs (old style) #008643. These springs were more like repetition spring thickness. I haven't taken micrometer readings but this thickness of spring can't be felt during engagement and is much thinner than the old style type. It is just enough to aid damper shut-off. The problem for me is they are no longer available although I bought all they had left it I have just enough for two or three sets. My question is who makes a univeral spring making jig or fixture to create these from scratch and who supplies the repetition spring wire to the industry. Thanks for any replies to this dilemma. Brent.Fischer@ASU.EDU Arizona State University/Tempe
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