We have two Steinbuhler keyboards.  One in the practice room and one for a S&S D in the medium size concert hall.  The action for the D just sits in my shop.  Richard West said it has been used once. A very expensive concert indeed :>) Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>"Ed  Sutton" <ed440@mindspring.com> Sent by: caut-bounces@ptg.org 01/25/2008 01:31 PM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to Ed  Sutton <ed440@mindspring.com>; Please respond to College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>"College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: [CAUT] Natural key width</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> See <table> <tr> <td><a href=http://www.steinbuhler.com/>www.steinbuhler.com/</a> </table> They are very well made.   A pianist I know considers it life changing. Unfortunately she no longer plays any but her own piano. The cost is not likely to make them common. $9,800, shipping and installation not included. Perhaps new composite materials could lower the price.   Ed S. ----- Original Message ----- From: <a href=mailto:ZahringerK@missouri.edu>Ken Zahringer</a> To: <a href=mailto:caut@ptg.org>College and University Technicians</a> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 1:43 PM Subject: Re: [CAUT] Natural key width The industry standard, if there is one, is the 48 inch keyboard (although Steinway current production is 48 3/8”).  Divide that up over 52 white keys, and there isn’t really any variation possible in key spacing, and any significant variation in width just gives the Letterman effect.  The DS 7/8 keyboard is 42 inches.  We don’t have one here, but I have heard several very positive reviews of it. Regards, Ken Z. On 1/25/08 12:06 PM, "Paul T Williams" <pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu> wrote: List, Is there a standard in the industry for piano key width on the naturals.  Nearly all the pianos here are at 23mm except for the five Mason and Hamlins from the 20's we have which measure 22mm giving them a disconcerting space between the keys. Think of David Letterman <G>. We have no European pianos so I can't measure them. One of our piano professors is doing some kind of research paper and was a big advocate for one of our practice Steinways to have a 7/8th keyboard installed for small handed students.  (It hardly ever gets played!) Thanks Paul -- Ken Zahringer, RPT Piano Technician MU School of Music 297 Fine Arts 882-1202 cell 489-7529