Kimble grand/Schwander action

[David ilvedson]

John, 

It sounds like the backchecks are dragging on the hammer tails.  
First check that the action is somewhere in the ballpark...Blow 
distance about 1 & 3\4", keydip 3/8" or slightly more.  There is 
let-off and drop.  With action on the bench put one hand on the 
hammer and the other on the key and rock the key/hammer.  You 
will fill the dragging if the hammer is contacting the 
backcheck.  This simulates fortisimo playing.  Use this to 
adjust your backchecks.  You can check if your backchecks are at 
the right angle by putting hammer in check and pushing down on 
the hammer into the backcheck.  It should get wedged or get 
tighter.  I agree with Keith about lowering the hammers...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA


D


> From:          "John J. Kowalski" <qualski@apk.net>
> To:            <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Subject:       Kimble grand/Schwander action
> Date:          Fri, 10 Jul 1998 00:00:51 -0400
> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org

> Dear List,
> I'm not too familiar with the Schwander actions and I have a bit of a
> problem.  This is a strange circumstance.  The customer told me she bought
> it new in 1985.  But it looks older.  I sold pianos for 10 years, so I'm
> usually off by only a year or two when guessing the age.  (it's a game I
> play with myself.)  I can't seem to find a serial number on this thing any
> where!  Any ideas?  I've been over, under and in this piano, and I doubt
> this piano was new in 85.  The serial number she claims to have found once
> before is a six digit # that doesn't jive with the Piano Atlas.
> 
> The piano tuned well and sounds great now; despite the fact she hadn't had
> it tuned since she got it.  Here's the real problem, the action plays like
> your beating rocks.  That is to say it's very, very hard.  I play
> professionally and I've never played one this hard.  The let-off feels
> amplified in the key.  It feels heavy, but not necessarily slow.  She hates
> the action and I told her I would see what I could do. I brought the action
> home.  I lowered the capstans and that has seem to make the action play
> better.  But the back checks needed to be pushed back too.  I noticed that
> many of the back checks were causing friction even before I lowered the
> capstans.  The adjustments I made seem to work fine, but I am concerned I
> did the right adjustment.  Any one else come across this?  I would
> appreciate any advice either on the list or to my email.  Qualski@apk.net
> Thanks
> John J. Kowalski
> 
> 
> 
>