Steinway Style 2 (Modified by Kent Swafford)

[David Skolnik]

Kent-

Depending upon how extensive and to what degree the problem with the drop 
screws is,a few things come to mind.  First, you could throw a damp chaser 
or hair dryer in there to shrink the action a bit, though you might be 
concerned about the pinblock as well.  If the contact is happening in an 
area of the block that is accessible to you when the action in place, you 
could sand the block slightly.  Lastly, I'm not sure how the keybed is 
installed on these period instrument, but if possible, you could support 
the piano behind the front legs and loosen the key bed screws.

I had a the same problem with a similar vintage Steinway, except it did ( I 
think) have balance rail studs.  It has the original rocker action.  I''ll 
be seeing the piano soon.  I'll see if I get any other ideas, if you 
haven't solved it by then.. Good luck.


David Skolnik



At 02:44 PM 2/28/2004 -0600, you wrote:
>I thought some might find this piano to be of interest. It appears to be 
>recognizable as a Style 2, the plate says S&S NY but the serial number 
>doesn't make much sense, 480.
>
>The current owner of the piano is a voice professor who purchased the 
>piano in Stuttgart. The piano is said to have lived for years in a German 
>opera house as a rehearsal piano.
>
>The action is not recognizable as Steinway. Rocker capstans have been 
>removed in favor of pedestals and modern capstans.
>
>The drop screws of newish shanks and flanges hit the pinblock and prevent 
>the action from being removed from the piano, an unfortunate thing since 
>the need for regulation is becoming dire. There are no BR studs that one 
>might raise to lower the action. (Early-rising dampers are causing 
>ringing-on notes, and jacks are skipping out on normal blows.)
>
>I really need to get this action out of the piano. I have never seen the 
>piano in high humidity and have suggested that I be called out when the 
>relative humidity in the house is above 60, just to see if there is any 
>difference.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Kent Swafford
>
>
>Photos are at the following URLs:
>
>http://tinyurl.com/3bprx
>
>http://tinyurl.com/384f4
>
>http://tinyurl.com/24lsb
>
>
>
>
>Direct ptg.org URLs:
>
>https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/04/98/08/0d/DSCN0586.JPG
>
>https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/be/73/39/dc/DSCN0587.JPG
>
>https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/1e/42/8c/ae/DSCN0589.JPG
>
>
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