sluggish Steinway LONG

[Tom Myler]

List:

This is being used without permission, but I'm sure Bill won't mind.

It was edited by me from Bill's response to a question in Compuserve's
Music and Arts Forum, 12-23-94.




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Re:  Sluggish Action in 1934 Steinway grand

Bill Spurlock, Registered Piano Technician



It sounds like your piano has developed a condition called "verdigris",
which is common in older Steinways. It is a corrosion of the action's
centerpins (brass "axles" upon which the various action parts pivot). In
addition, any older piano will have sustained a certain amount of wear to
its action parts (hammer felt, bushings, etc.).
The cost of repair depends upon:
1) the extent of the problem. If minor, it might be successfully treated
with a specialized cleaner/lubricant; if severe, repair will require
replacement of most action parts. In general, the only permanent cure for
verdigris is parts replacement.
2) the degree of wear in the action parts. If the original hammers and other
action parts are badly worn, there is little point in treating them for
tightness; just replace the whippens, hammershanks and hammers, damper
underlevers, etc. and you'll get rid of the problem while also correcting 60
years of wear and tear. You then end up with an action that can be properly
regulated and voiced. On the other hand, if the piano has spent most of its
life sitting unplayed, wear may be light, in which case treating the old
parts to relieve sluggishness may make more sense, even if it must be redone
periodically.
3) the degree of improvement desired. Assuming average usage, the action
parts will be so worn that  regulation  to achieve optimum touch and tone
will be impossible. It may be possible to treat the sluggishness
inexpensively to get the piano playing, but obtaining optimum tone and touch
may require extensive (and expensive) parts replacement.
So, you really need to get a good idea of how worn the action is,  what is
causing the sluggishness, and how it can be treated. Then you can evaluate
your options in terms of cost versus benefit. Don't just shop for the lowest
estimate, because you will likely end up with a piano that plays like the
product of the lowest bidder. Remember that a piano is a big wood, metal,
cloth, and leather machine, with thousands of moving parts. People who would
never expect a 60 year old car to perform very well often assume that their
piano should play like new with only tuning and minor service.

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To which I can only add.............."Ditto!"



Tom Myler
"The smart person knows the rules;
   The wise person knows the exceptions."