keyframe bedding

[Fred Sturm]

Yamaha calls them "Key Flame Guides(sic)", part #GH1B-C7. I wouldn't
try to reposition Steinway metal ones. Such a hassle trying to plug and
redrill accurately to move the tiny amount necessary. If you do, move it
enough that a fair amount of shim can be added to the bottom of the
blocks, so you can respond to later humidity changes. But it takes
little more work to change to the Yamaha ones, which make it far easier
to adjust in future.
Regards,
Fred

Jeff Tanner wrote:
> 
> Thanks Fred,
> I'm hoping that you're right.  I've considered that this might be the case.
> But the piano next to it in the same room, same vintage, doesn't display
> this same symptom, nor are any of the others that we have.  Now that the
> humidity is returning to the 50% - 60% range, I'm going to watch it to see
> what happens.  I did consider trying to reposition the little cheek block
> guide thingies, but I want to see what else happens first.
> Jeff
> 
> Fred Sturm wrote:
> >Jeff,
> >       That sounds like typical dry weather condition. Steinway front rails
> >being "sprung" (up on ends, down in middle, relying on key blocks to
> >pull outer ends down), drying out means a gap appears on one or other
> >end (usually both). It's seasonal, so removing cardboard shims from the
> >key blocks (if any is left) will cure the problem for now, but you'll
> >end up with binding in the wet summer. And back and forth through the
> >years. I've replaced the - uh, what are those called, where's the
> >nomenclature book when I need it - thingies that actually bear down on
> >the keyframe pins with the adjustable Yamaha type with considerable
> >success.
> >Regards,
> >Fred Sturm
> >University of New Mexico
> >