[pianotech] no jack position adjustment on Steinway A

[Ryan Sowers]

Thanks so much Don! This looks like the most reasonable approach so far! It
makes so much sense now that you mention it. I'll give it a try.

The shanks and flanges were replaced some time ago, so they are in OK
condition.

This will be an interesting case - my plan is to get the excessive friction
out of the action, touch up the regulation, and install a Touchrail. The
client knows that the touchrail is kind of an experiment for me but he was
interested in trying it.

I'll let you all know how it works out!



On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 2:11 PM, Don Mannino <donmannino at ca.rr.com> wrote:

> Ryan,
>
>
>
> Keeping in mind that the felt itself experiences very little wear, but only
> compression, I have had luck with using a voicing needle to “uncompress” the
> felt a little.  By testing carefully with the first one, you can try a
> different number of pokes to get the felt to come out the amount you want.
> Do the first one, squeeze the jack back against it a few times firmly, and
> check the regulation.
>
>
>
> Use 2 deep pokes at first, all the way down through the felt, parallel to
> the jack contact surface but closer to the wippen side of the felt.
> Increase the number of pokes until you get the results you need, then do the
> same thing all the way through.  After squeezing the jacks back afterwards,
> even up the ones that need a little more with some more needle pokes.
>
>
>
> I have only done this on 2 pianos, but each time the regulation was fairly
> stable, settling back slightly but not nearly as far back as it had been.  A
> little touch up of a few notes on a follow-up tuning was needed.
>
>
>
> Another technique is to use travel paper behind the jack rest felt.  You
> have to use an Exacto knife or similar to make a slit where the felt is
> glued in.  Then make a paper strip from stationary paper, wipe a little glue
> on one side, insert into the slot, slice it off, and move on to the next.
> I’ve done this once, and didn’t find it to be any more accurate or
> long-lasting than the needle job, because the process of slitting the felt
> and inserting the paper disturbs the felt too much.
>
>
>
> Some people feel that the repetition on these actions is better than the
> current ones with the regulating button on the jack, due to the lower
> inertia of the jack.
>
>
>
> Lastly, it would seem that the knuckles are probably pretty worn on this
> piano, so maybe you should address them as well.
>
>
>
> Don Mannino
>
>
>
> *From:* pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Joseph Garrett
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 13, 2010 7:35 AM
> *To:* pianotech
> *Subject:* Re: [pianotech] no jack position adjustment on Steinway A
>
>
>
> Ryan: "I consulted with a client today about his early 1900's Steinway A.
> The
>
> client has been unhappy with the heavy touch, so one of the things I
> checked
>
> was jack postion. I then discovered that there was no adjustment for the
>
> jack position! This is the first time I've seen this.
>
>
>
> I'm thinking maybe the easiest way to adjust it is to put a paper shim on
>
> the back of the jack. Any other ideas? How unusual is this?"
>
>
>
> --
>
> Ryan,
>
> That is probably earlier than 1900. 85 notes? Probably 1880's. I've run
> into several. Paper/felt/whatever doesn't work...generally creates noise if
> you glue something in there. Two options: 1. change the jacks and add the
> spoon to the olde, (often brittle), wippens. 2. New wippens. (Steinway N.Y.
> Improved is recommended...not some knock offs.<G)
>
> Best Regards,
> Joe
>
>
>
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
>
> Captain of the Tool Police
>
> Squares R I
>
>
>



-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net
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