Bechstein key height

[Brian Lawson]

Hi, a typical original Bechstein back rail is not one piece of felt but four
or five strips (pail blue nameboard type of felt if you want to be original)
about 1/2" wide covered with a wider 1 1/2" width so giving a overall height
of about 4 mm. Balance rail felt is also thin with a few paper washers and
front touch washers are also around 4mm.  No glides on a Bechstein but check
bedding of keyframe for unusual warpage (warp factor 9 or above is too much
captain!) I usually set key height to about 18mm but in the end it depends
what works

Brian



----- Original Message -----
From: "Breakall, Raymond" <rbreakal@richmond.edu>
To: <Pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 2:42 PM
Subject: Bechstein key height



Dear list,

I am trying to fiqure out key heighth for a Bechstein grand. I must jack up
the the back rail felt to fit properly with the keyslip. Then I find I don't
have enough movement in the key to get enough key dip. Any ideas? Thanks

Ray


Ray Breakall
Piano Technician
University of Richmond
Richmond, VA
(804)287-6342