[pianotech] Leveling keys

[Thomas Cole]

Joe, I'm totally in agreement with you. If the middle of the keyboard 
sags, you need to re-level the keys. Presumably if the keyboard is 
crowned, the dip is "crowned" also, so when the keyboard sags in the 
middle you still need to build the middle back up to restore proper keydip.

I wonder if Steinway still does this.

Tom Cole

Joseph Garrett wrote:
> Yes! I do Steinways FLAT, as in LEVEL! It's a stupid idea with no 
> Merit whatsoever!!! If you look at the Fallboard edge, it's FLAT! The 
> whole idea of the raised center was to off-set the area that got the 
> most playing. It has nothing to do with regulating or action geometry 
> and any other damned thing! Just Stupid!
> Joe
>  
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares R I
>  
>  
>  
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft
>     <mailto:AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com>
>     *To: *joegarrett at earthlink.net
>     <mailto:joegarrett at earthlink.net>;pianotech at ptg.org
>     <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>
>     *Sent:* 6/22/09 3:23:31 AM
>     *Subject:* Re: [pianotech] Leveling keys
>
>     I would hope you don't do a Steinway "flat", because you would not
>     be regulating it according to specs.
>      
>     Steinway = curve.
>     Most others = flat.
>      
>     That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
>      
>     Al
>      
>      
>      
>
>         *From:* Joseph Garrett <mailto:joegarrett at earthlink.net>
>         *Sent:* Sunday, June 21, 2009 5:19 PM
>         *To:* pianotech <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>
>         *Subject:* [pianotech] Leveling keys
>
>         All,
>         To me, the word level means FLAT And paralell to the floor!
>         Anything else is Curving, which I don't do, because I think
>         it's not smart thinkin'.<G> I mean, WHY? Just doesn't make
>         sense to me. I have a Pratt-Read Stick, that has one side
>         curved 1mm and the other is straight. It is a piece of wood,
>         (suspect bass wood), with Ivorine on both sides. That sucker
>         does not deviate one iota....ever! Wish they were still
>         available. I use the curved side when I am leveling keys on my
>         "Master Bench", which has a 1mm crown in it's 2" thick, 7' x
>         3' laminated maple top. That way, when the action is put back
>         in the piano, the keys are LEVEL, as in flat, as in parallel
>         to the floor/key bed.<G> If I am using the thing in the field,
>         I always use the Straight side. I've never had a pianist ask
>         for such an abomination, so why do it?'
>         That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.<G>
>         Regards,
>         Joe
>          
>          
>         Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>         Captain, Tool Police
>         Squares R I
>          
>          
>