<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C384FE.50D064A0"> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Thanks = Ric.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Steinway’s standard used to = be “less than 4 grams” but seems to have changed. Now it’s not one of = grams or swings but “as close to zero friction as possible with no side = play.” This seems to be a recent change and I was told that Steinway has some = kind of new system to achieve this. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I did repin a few and it regulates = well, but DW is now about 70. Changing hammer weight (strike weight) and adjusting = front weight, etc. will bring it to what I want, but then I’ve changed = their design and essentially voided warranty. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> You’re right about sound. It = does make a difference, and their way seems to sound great. It just seems = weird, and against what I’ve heard for years.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I’ll try it. I’m fairly = opened minded.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Thanks = again,<o:p></o:p> <st1:PersonName>Jim = Busby</st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> -----Original = Message----- From: = caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On = Behalf Of Richard Brekne Sent: Saturday, September = 27, 2003 1:28 PM To: College and = University Technicians Subject: Re: Steinway "pinning" dilemma <o:p> </o:p>   <o:p></o:p> Jim Busby wrote: = <o:p></o:p> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' TYPE=CITE> List, <o:p></o:p> I am NOT bashing here...I love Steinways, but = I have a dilemma. (BTW, I just finished prepping and tuning 12 "out of the box" 1098's = and they are indeed wonderful instruments! None of the former problems.) (Hurray!) <o:p></o:p> Here is a new question concerning pinning on = the 8 new grands I have. (2 D's, 3 B's, 2 M's, and an S.) Hammer flange pinning is around 1-2 grams! = (From 20 to 37 swings) I was ready to repin, since they simply don't = check without roughing the tails (which I believe shouldn't be the solution) Steinway says that they have a new flange design to try to = "totally", as far as possible, reduce friction there. They = advertise it as "permafree" (scary) because of the Teflon impregnated into = the bushing cloth. They say that as long as there is no side play 37 swings = is OK. But is it???  <o:p></o:p> </blockquote> Hmm... assuming the hammers follow a solid = path towards the string, even in hard play... it should be ok.... aside from = the general discussion about whether or not a certain amount of friction is = a good thing. That said...  seems like an awwwwwfull lot of swings... 25 = +.... hard to imagine thats not because of overly loose pins. I get quite an improvement with useing teflon powder in bushings... and have = experienced solid pinning at 12 swings or so on occasion... but thats not any where near = what you are describing.   <o:p></o:p>   You can make the action work by making sure rep. spring is not too strong and by periodically roughing the tails, but conventional wisdom = says we need proper friction in the right places to make an action feel = and work correctly. Right?? Any thoughts on = this?<o:p></o:p> I like a certain amount of friction... 10 = grams or so seems very comfortable... but then I'm rather conservative with actions. Friction can serve as a brake... keeps the fly away hammer syndrom from = getting to carried away. Tho admitedly... my call on this is pretty subjective = in nature.   <o:p></o:p>   Since they are under warranty I will do as I was taught at Steinway, but = my gut feeling is to repin the rail, lighten the hammers, etc. to achieve proper touchweight, and spend the next ten years working on pianos that feel "right" to me.<o:p></o:p> Would be interested in hearing a follow up on = these <<permafree>> bushings... what you think of them as you go = through changing and servicing them over the next few months. = <o:p></o:p>   I've consulted with 2 other techs who are top notch by any standard and = they totally agree with me. However, two Steinway techs say their system = works. How do I justify the two seemingly opposing systems and make the = pianos work to my standards without bucking Steinway? Have any of you = faced this yet?  <o:p></o:p> Steinways official line is that these should = exhibit 10 - 35 swings ??... let them go for a while if that be... and see how = well they perform... change one or two if you think its the right thing to do = and compare. Loose pins cause sloppy sound... weak and falsy... you know it = when you hear it.   <o:p></o:p>   Thanks, Jim Busby RPT BYU <a = href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives"></a> <o:p></o:p></= span> -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. UiB, Bergen, Norway <a href="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</a> = <a = href="http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html">http://home.broad= park.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html</a> <a = href="http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html">http://www.hf.uib= .no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html</a>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>