STEINWAY B TOUCHWEIGHT

[Roger Jolly]

Hi David,
               A check that gives you a quick indication of need to move 
the capstans, is to cut a 1/8" wide slip of business card. Use it to shim 
out the top of the flange.  I have found a few with rotated rails.
Another tell tale clue giver, is the index line on the top of the wippen, 
with respect to jack knuckle positioning.
Just a quick diagnostic tool.
Like Ed has mentioned. carefully address the friction first.
With out seeing an action I would not give advice about moving capstans.
Like you I am not impressed with the BW
I don't think Steinway would agree with the Dealers statement.   So call 
Kent Webb and ask for advice on how to procede.   This may be doing the 
best for the customer.

Regards Roger



At 08:10 AM 7/14/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>I agree that the friction problems are most likely in the hammer flanges.
>My experience is similar to yours in this.  Tightness at the balance rail
>is often another problem.  Still, the balance weight will be unaffected
>addressing the friction.  He recently gave me a few more readings on some
>other notes that had the BW up in the high 40's.  To bring the balance
>weight down to 38 grams it would require 1.5 to 2 grams off the hammers
>(not recommended), adding one full lead toward the front of the key
>(probably not advisable since the keys seem to have a full complement of
>lead already), or a change in leverage.  It seems very likely that a change
>in leverage, i.e., move the capstan, is in order.  It is not likely that
>the dealer will pay for this.  According to the dealer, a piano at this
>weight is considered within the range of "normal".  It's unfortunate that
>$60,000 doesn't get you a better answer than that.
>
>David Love
>davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: <A440A@aol.com>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Date: 7/14/2003 3:03:01 AM
> > Subject: Re: STEINWAY B TOUCHWEIGHT
> >
> >  roger  writes:
> >
> > << Take a close look at the friction issue first, 10.5 to 11gms
> > may just cure all problems, Start by fitting the keys, and polishing the
>key
> > pins and calstans,  Then
> > burnish some Teflon on the knuckles.
> > Check weight again.
> > I would also polish and lub the rep sting and slot.<<
> >
> >
> >     Greetings,
> > The first thing I would do would be to check the hammershank pinning.
>I'll
> > bet a brand new mute that you will find 90% of the problem right there.
>This
> > isn't uncommon on new Steinways.  There will be the occasional whippen
>center
> > that is also too tight, they are easy to check with all the hammersshanks
> > removed. (just turn the stack on its back and watch them swing).
> >    I have had several instances of excessively tight pinning on these
>pianos.
> > Once repaired,( I repin them), the springs can be softened a great deal
>and
> > most of the "heaviness" is gone. This, of course, doesn't address erratic
>SW or
> > FW, but the correct friction makes a phenomenal improvement.  It is also
>a
> > good time to do a regulation, since you will have a bit of spacing and
>traveling
> > to do.
> > Good luck,
> > Ed Foote RPT
> > www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/
> > www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
> >  <A
>HREF="http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/399/six_degrees_of_tonality.html">
> > MP3.com: Six Degrees of Tonality</A>
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