Sostenuto headache

[Newton Hunt]

No.# sostenuto tab is sticking out further than it's mates.  Check the
damper wire for a bend that should not be there or place a bend that
should not be there to move the tab back into alignment.

> So I blocked the action out a little at the keyframe stop (dag?),

Steinways are designed NOT to do this.  Doing so will cause the action
to bind when the soft pedal is used.

Check for excessive movement of the sos. blade in it's bushings. 
Re-orient the cloth or replace it as needed.

The best procedure is:
1	Regulate the timing of the dampers.
	The tabs should be in a straight line horizontal and vertical.
2	Set damper lever block so pedal raises dampers to the same height as
sharps.
3	Set damper up stop rail so there is some up motion left for the
dampers.
4	Set the sostenuto blade so it is 45 degrees off horizontal
5	Set the height of the blade TIP to the height of the sostenuto tab
TIPs exactly.
6	Do this at each section end.
7	Check that there is no fore and aft slop in the keyblock action
retainers.
8	Work the sostenuto pedal several times to see if dampers flick or
move upward.
9	If dampers do tap the sos. brackets so the blade is moved toward the
keys.
10	Repeat until all dampers are not touched.
11	Check that the sos. raises the dampers just slightly higher than
the keys.
12	Adjust the sos. lever stop accordingly.
13	Depress the sustain pedal the sos. pedal and see that all dampers
are held up.
14	Tap the tops of the damper blocks to see if any fall through.
15	Move sos. brackets away from the keys until all are held securely.

		Newton

Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> 
> I hope someone can help me with this.
> 
> Steinway B made in 1979.  Whenever the sostenuto pedal is depressed, I
> hear a thump, and I will see several dampers jump, most notably damper
> A#3.  After much hairpulling and trying moving the sostenuto rail in and
> out, which changed nothing, I eventually discovered that by pulling the
> action out a smidgin (?) the thing would work fine.  So I blocked the
> action out a little at the keyframe stop (dag?), which seemed to solve
> the problem.
> 
> But I never really figured out what was happening here.  Do you know?
> Is there a better way to solve the problem?  I live in the fear that
> during Sunday's competition something will happen that will have the
> whole world mad at me for all time.  Please advise.  Thanks!
> 
> Clyde Hollinger, RPT
> Lititz, PA