Steinway key humping

[Carl Meyer]

Yes, I forgot to mention that S&S rep also said it was to assure full
contact of the key bed with the bed.  A curve in the frame would have been
sufficient, I think, but curving both really complicates matters.

Ron asked if the rear was also crowned.  I don't know, but since I   clamp
at both ends  at the front and three places at the rear it doesn't matter.

Any one who has access to a  few S&S grands, would you check with a straight
edge front and rear and let us know.  Thanks.

I'm sending you privately some pictures of the leveler.


Carl Meyer Ptg assoc
Santa Clara, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Gamble" <michael@gambles.fsnet.co.uk>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 7:24 AM
Subject: Fw: Steinway key humping


> Hello Carl Meyer
> Even as I read your comments and approached your conclusions I was saying
to
> myself "If the keybed is crowned, surely by simply leveling on a good flat
> surface the result will be the same as levelling when clamped down to the
> S&S keybed"? And then you answered it with just that same observation.
> What is your "Key Levelling System" Carl?
> Regards
> Michael G (UK)
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Carl Meyer" <cmpiano@comcast.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 1:57 AM
> Subject: Steinway key humping
>
>
> > I've commented on this before, but some may not have noticed or disagree
> > with me.
> >
> > Since I am the self appointed key leveling guru, I need to reiterate
that
> I
> > believe the idea of the 1/16 hump in the key leveling of S&S has been
> > misconstrued.  Setting a hump in the keyboard for the purpose of
> > compensating for the  sagging due to the excessive playing of the center
> is
> > just urban legend.
> >
> > I recall when I first heard that, I was impressed with that concept.  I
> have
> > been now convinced that to misadjust to compensate for wear is not a
> logical
> > engineering decision.
> >
> > An S&S rep told me that the reason for humping the key leveling is to
> > compensate for the fact that they shape the key bed for a level of crown
> of
> > about 1/16 inch during manufacturing.  The key level then should follow
> the
> > curvature of the key bed.  This requires the key frame to be clamped by
> the
> > cheek blocks for the purpose of having better contact due to the
curvature
> > of the key frame.  I was then told that it was necessary to level (sic)
> the
> > keys in the piano since that would be the only way it would be accurate.
> >
> > I still hold to my concept that if you clamp the action (key frame to a
> flat
> > table) and LEVEL the keys, when you reinstall the action the hump will
> > automatically the same as the key bed.  Isn't that what they want?  Any
> > additional leveling to what ever shape you want or touch up can be done
> > after the action is in the piano.  You may drive yourself to utter
> > frustration or terminal if you like.
> >
> > I know of no other piano manufacturer who purposely makes their key beds
> > unleveled. I was even told by another S&S rep that the key bed was
> stronger
> > because of the (crown).  Can any of you math gurus tell me how much
extra
> > strength 1/16 crown over 4 feet of a 1 1/2  thick key bed will produce?
> >
> > Just look at all the consternation this one item has caused.  How many
> > e-mails have been written.  Gives all the S&S apologists a reason for
> being.
> > Argggggggg!!!!!!  Could any other manufacturer  do something like this
and
> > not been blasted?
> >
> > By the way, Joe Goss is now selling my key leveling system.
> >
> > Carl Meyer Ptg assoc
> > Santa Clara, Ca.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives