Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg model)

[Cy Shuster]

Thanks, Michael.  I would expect those instructions from Steinway, since
their keybed itself is crowned, right?  But I guess that answers my
question: Steinway, at least, feels that it's better for the keys to be
convex some of the time rather than concave at any time.

The Sept. 2003 issue of the (US) PTG Journal has on its back cover step 12
of Yamaha's 37 regulation steps.  It specifies that the keys must form a
straight, level line parallel to the keybed.

The issue of "how much back weight" is interesting.  It's similar to the
question of how much weight to use when measuring key dip.  Can there really
be that much more force if the weight is hung behind the backcheck rather
than in front of it?  Surely it's proportional to the distance of the weight
to the balance rail -- 10 or 20%?  A steel rule doesn't sound like much
weight.  Hmm -- I guess the correct answer would be "just as much weight as
the action applies at rest"...

--Cy Shuster--
Rochester, MN

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Gamble" <michael@gambles.fsnet.co.uk>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003 10:16 AM
Subject: Fw: Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg model)


> Hello Cy Shuster.
> I have in front of me the S&S Service manual. re: Key Leveling it says:
"The
> process of leveling the keys now follows. At the factory the end keys are
> set at 63mm on models S - B and at 65mm on models C - D (upper edge of key
> bottom to lower edge of key covering). In the non-depressed state, the
> sharps should project 12mm above the naturals. By means of a straightedge
> (rule) extending to the lengtrh of the keyboard and revealing 2mm mid
> arching, the keys are aligned exactly underneath the straightedge without
> any clearance whatever. This ist done by inserting paper washers or shims
> underneath the keays at the balance pins. In the event of major
adjustments
> proving necessary, the action shopuld be unscrewed and the keys weighted
by
> means of a steel rule which is used to offset the weight of the hammer and
> support and which can be applied or lifted off easily and quickly while
the
> key is removed." end of quote. I used to use car wheel balancing weights
to
> each key at the check block wire until I got a set of the real thingy. I
> like the "this ist done" - half Deutch half Englander. The first half of
the
> book is is German and I can quote that too but nicht understanden! :-)
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Cy Shuster" <741662027@charter.net>
> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 10:23 PM
> Subject: Re: Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg model)
>
>
> > Speaking of key leveling in general, is it better to crown the middle by
a
> > few mm, or to leave it straight?
> >
> > If it's bad to be depressed in the middle after a long time of use
> (years?),
> > isn't it also bad to have it crowned for a few years, until it gets
played
> > flat?
> >
> > That's a great tip about putting the weights on in front of the
> backchecks.
> >
> > --Cy Shuster--
> > Rochester, MN
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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