concert service Q & A

[Fred Sturm]

--On Tuesday, May 4, 2004 11:51 AM -0500 Mark Cramer <Cramer@BrandonU.CA> 
wrote:

> Question:
>
> I'm having trouble with key-frame shift-pins; noise/friction from the
> bass-side in particular.
>
> I've squared the pin to the key-bed, rotated the pin to the last fresh
> side, then finally ended up filing all four surfaces, rounding the
> aris's, then fine-sanding, polishing and lubrifying.
>
> I've re-bedded the key-block to provide no more than sufficient down
> pressure, and rounded the pin-guide (brass) and finally burnished the
> contact surface to a shine.
>
> Everything was slick for the competition, however this morning it seems
> the mild scraping sound has returned. When I remove the block, I'm afraid
> I'll see the fine tell-tale abrassion marks again
>
> Any long-term solutions?
>
> Replace the shift pin(s)?
>
> Re-fit the key-block to a Yamaha system?

Yes, replace the shift pin(s). Yamaha system works well (I've retrofitted 
successfully). Pianotek (I think) now sells the Hamburg Steinway system. I 
got one, but haven't had time to install it yet, so don't have experience 
to offer. But it sure looks like a good system.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico