[CAUT] too tall?

[Douglas Wood]

We got a few complaints on our heavily-used D. They were actually  
about the pedals being too high. And they were too high, with the  
piano on the truck. I tried several solutions, and have done best by  
ordering a set of casters with the overall height that puts the  
pedals in the right place. The best suggestion I can make is to  
measure to the underside of the pedals (they are supposed to be at  
the same height, BTW) when they're on the original casters. Then  
measure the same dimension when it's back on the truck. Then contact  
a caster supplier with specifications. I can probably look up what I  
did if you need those specs. Or you can go to Caster Solutions and  
ask them if they still have those specs from when I ordered. If I  
remember, the replecement casters were almost 1" shorter in overall  
height. Be sure to spec out floor type (for wheel covering material)  
and weight capacity (950 lbs, plus truck, but not evenly distributed.  
Anyone ever put each leg on a scale?)

There are a few down sides to this:  The lyre is prone to catch on  
protruding door hardware, if there is any. There may be a small  
difference in acoustic coupling with the floor. And someone will have  
to deal with caster locks one way or another.

Doug

*********************************
Doug Wood
Piano Technician
School of Music
University of Washington
dew2 at uw.edu

doug at dougwoodpiano.com
(206) 391-9613
*********************************

On Apr 8, 2010, at 2:18 PM, reggaepass at aol.com wrote:

> ...and I've had the reverse experience with a player who complained  
> that the keyboard was too low.  Measured several other performance  
> pianos and, sure enough, the one in question was slightly lower  
> than the rest.  Some time later, I had the chance to do something  
> about it (in this case, shim between the casters and where they  
> attach to the spider), deliberately did not tell the player who had  
> complained, and he immediately noticed and thanked me (yay!).  It's  
> the Princess and the Pea all over again.  Apparently, it IS  
> detectable and really does matter, to certain players.
>
> Alan Eder
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: McCoy, Alan <amccoy at ewu.edu>
> To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Thu, Apr 8, 2010 1:27 pm
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] too tall?
>
> It’s been a few years but I think the top of the keys were 29 3/4”  
> above the floor. Hence the 3/4” plywood, since 29” is fairly  
> standard and what he expected. This piano is on a spider. But it is  
> not that he had a tape measure. He just sat down and adjusted the  
> bench and after playing a bit said he though the keyboard was too  
> high. He was right. No biggy to help him out.
>
> Alan
>
>
> -- Alan McCoy, RPT
> Eastern Washington University
> amccoy at ewu.edu
>
>
>
> From: John Minor <jminor at illinois.edu>
> Reply-To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 13:00:58 -0700
> To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: [CAUT] too tall?
>
> I'm curious, are these pianos actually NOT their original height  
> for one
> reason or another? Wrong leg/caster relationship? I believe Hamburg
> Steinway specs give a key height measurement FROM THE FLOOR! IMHO
> concert instrument keys should be pretty much the same height above  
> the
> floor.
>
> John Minor
> University of Illinois
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> Alan wrote:
> So this must be Arnaldo Cohen. We had the same issue here in Spokane
> with the Symphony. He is very sensitive to keyboard height. We have a
> piece of 3/4” plywood just for that purpose. It will work fine for  
> him.
> We also have three benches – one Jansen with normal length legs, one
> with legs 2” longer, and a chair with a back to accommodate all sizes
> and needs.
>
> I really enjoy his playing and working with him to get the most out of
> the piano. He’s a very likeable person, very appreciative of our work
> and a great player. As far as I’m concerned, we are there to be of
> service. It’s not my butt up there in front of the audience. I  
> empathize
> a great deal with those performers we serve. My job is to make the
> pianist comfortable with the piano so they can express themselves and
> forget all about the piano.
>
> My 2c.
>
> Alan
>
>

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