I just measured an S&S 45 (ca. 1962) sharp at around .430 near the base, and .365 near the top. I think the newer ones are narrower than that (don't have one here). Jeff >Hi Tom: > >Both Baldwin and Steinway began using slimmer sharp keys on their Concert >grands quite a number of years ago. I just tuned a Baldwin Concert grand >yesterday which was made in the late 70s which had the narrower sharp keys. >My Baldwin SF10 has sharps that are .447" at the base and .392" near the >top. My newer Baldwin Acrosonic has sharps which are .455" at the base and >.392 near the top. I have measured old ebony sharps taken off of upright >pianos which measured .500 at the base and .418 near the top. > >My fingers are also fat on the ends. I have to turn my middle finger >sideways to get it between F# and G# (which seem to be the tightest on >my Steinway L, circa 1952). > >Jim Coleman, Sr. > >On Thu, 4 Nov 1999, Tom Robinson wrote: > >> Has anyone ever heard of slimming down the sharp keys to better >> accomodate pianists with "fat" fingers? An amateur pianist I know >> (...OK...it's me) has trouble with sounding too many notes when certain >> passages require placing the fingers between the sharps. I've had no >> success altering technique. >> >> Tom Robinson >> amateur pianist/tuner and faithful pianotech reader for 2 years >> >> Jeff Tanner, Piano Technician School of Music University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208 (803)-777-4392 (phone) (803)-777-6508 (fax)
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