[CAUT] 55' B action (Eric, Fred, Others)

[Mark Cramer]

to Eric, Fred and all others I consulted with in KC, just a brief update on
the 55' S&S B action in question:

(see initial test specs below)

Thanks to everyone (including presenters Kent Webb and Wally Brooks) who
encouraged me to try the 17mm knuckle spread.

The action easily met the weigh-off goal, (removed 40 - 1/2" leads in total)
and regulated out at 9.5mm* and 47.5mm! (1 7/8"!)

(*10mm key-block & light test-touch, measures 9.5mm below neighboring tops
on a mf blow)

I noticed this on the bench, but chickened-out (the client lives in WPG, 2.5
hours away) and reset the blow at 45mm, just a shade wider than spec (44mm /
1 3/4").

Sure enough, at the piano I ended up dialing down the capstans and peeling
the rebound felt coverings off just to gain some shank clearance!

I had worried (up until KC) that the larger knuckle spread would have
required some big clunky 11mm key-dip, or that further measures would be
necessary.

So thanks for the benefit of all your experience and encouragement guys!

BTW, did anyone resolve why the old SD-6's won't pass a standard
repetition-spring test?

best regards,
Mark Cramer,
Brandon University



1955 Steinway B initial test specs:

Modern Steinway hammers installed on original shanks/flanges.

Customer complaint: tendonitus

(Sadly, as you'll gather below, the original technician would likely still
have this client, had he even bothered to spend an hour servicing the
knuckles)

Preliminary Assessment:

Note #21 (original wippen / no friction treatment to action or keys)

1.) 	Steinway hammer 8.8g / original knuckle / 3g center friction

	D: 73g	U: 27g	F: 23g

2.) 	As above after servicing (filing/teflon) the knuckle

	D: 61g	U: 30g	F: 15.5g

3.) 	Abel hammer 7.6g (fully trimmed)/ original shank/knuckle (serviced)

	D: 52g	U: 21g	F: 15.5g

4.) 	Abel hammer / Abel 16mm shank/flange / 2g center friction

	D: 50g	U: 24g	F: 13g

5.) 	Abel hammer / Abel 17mm shank/flange / 2g center friction

	D: 46g	U: 23g	F: 11.5