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<DIV>In a message dated 11/7/2004 10:06:39 AM Pacific Standard Time, Erwinsp=
iano
writes:</DIV>
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=3>
<DIV><FONT size=3>List.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I thought I'd share some more piano related stu=
ff to
clean out any potential political residue lefet over in anyones palate fro=
m
last week as my penance for irritating some with My uncharacteristic share=
of
dreaded political OTs post.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV> </DIV>
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style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid">
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#0=
00000
size=3><FONT size=3>I've been modifying many of old Steinway dam=
per
systems with a variety of features which greatly improves its functionabil=
ity
& adjustability.</FONT><FONT size=3> Many of these ideas are no=
t
my own but have found them useful just the same.<STRONG>grin.</STRONG=
>
I've been installing the new Renner Back actions fairly routinely which gi=
ves
a more effective sostenuto usage with the spring loaded tabs & also th=
e
fact that individual parts can be taken off for service if necessary witho=
ut
disassembling the whole dang damper action I.E. to reglue some flange=
s
that have come unglued or repin a part or two.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Along with this I've also=
found
that a few other modifications which are not difficult to execute also
increase performance.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> ! Installing the tray center pivot pin so it is =
in
line with the underlever centers. This requires modifying or making a new
pivot block for at least one end.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Result. 1.This eliminates the disparity of func=
tion
in the upstop adjustment. Meaning an upstop adjustment is made which is
equally good for pedal lift as is it is for individual key lift.</FONT></D=
IV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 2. the heavy pedal syndrome is made more n=
ormal
by reducing weight & friction felt on the pedal & eliminates much =
of
the damper thumping on the strings by less experienced players</FONT></DIV=
>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 3. Eliminates the severe dipping of the underle=
vers
when the tray is out of adjustment that digs out the key lift felt with ex=
tra
friction caused by the out of adjustment.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 4. removing wooden or brass pedal pitmans that
(always) squeak. This requires drilling an enlarged hole thru the key=
bed
3/4" or so & installing a wooden dowel with 3/4" front punchings glued=
to
each end & a balance rail pin installed and protruding 3/16 =
inch out of the dowel. The tray & pedal lever are drilled to
accommodate the felt & pin </FONT></FONT><FONT size=3> Th=
e
result is a totally quiet squeak-free movement</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<DIV><FONT size=3> 5. Install a new set of Modern adjustable pedal =
rods.
What a blessing. See pianotek</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 6. Install a capstan as a sustain pedal lev=
er
travel limiter on the bottom of the keybed. This removes the archaic block=
of
felt method formerly employed on all Stwy pianos, & others of course &=
amp;
allows for a precise amount of damper lift& lever travel. A nice
feature which keeps the underlevers from slamming into the upstop fel=
t
creating those annoying dents which reduce
function.</FONT></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid">
<DIV> 7. <FONT size=3>relocate tray return springs. In these =
pianos
either a leaf spring type was used in the top treble end of the tray =
or
in later models a coil spring was applied on the bass end of th=
e
tray causing the tray to warp.</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV> <FONT size=3>The new springs are fit between the le=
ver
sections. One is mounted close to the pitman which is where it needs to be t=
o
keep the tray from being twisted during lift,resulting in a strange arr=
ay
of damper lift setting problems & eventual tray warpage. Some systems
require another mounted between bass and tenor sections.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 8. The last thing which is new to me came about be=
cause
of a conversation with David Love about this. Del had done a tray for him th=
is
way & I'd heard about others doing this so...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I mounted small11/32inch long capstan=
s
under each underlever. This allows for a very precise & perfect damper l=
ift
without all the usual futzing and straining to move a lever in the flange ju=
st
the tiniest fraction of a mm/or inch for standard folks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> The lip of the tray needs to be thinned by a=
bout 3
mm to allow for capstan head clearance. A quick pass on the table saw does t=
his
in a second. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Drill the appropriate size hole for the capstan
shank & press with arbor press or Tap in carefully with a hammer wi=
th
the tray supported really well</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>8. Installing the extra wide bichord agraffes from Piano=
tek on
the lowest 4 bichords increase the ability of the bichord felt to get betwee=
n
the large bichord bass strings which really improves
damping.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> 9 On many pianos, especially longer ones I also fi=
nd
improved damping by using four equally cut pieces of damper felt in the mono=
-
chord section & on the first 2 to 4 bichord notes. This is especially
helpful on longer strings & also on smaller pianos on which I=
have had all my mono chords double wrapped by the string maker.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> An Addendum.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Some later stwys , 1950 ish & later cam=
e
<STRONG><U>without return springs</U></STRONG>. I've learned this the hard w=
ay,
( of course), that these need springs especially in the bass. This is my hum=
ble
opinion based on failure to damp experience, even with proper fitted guide r=
ail
bushings & nicely fit wires, head lift etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> These upgraded systems are a huge improvement ove=
r the
original equipment setup IMHO and are not difficult to do. It does increase
labor time but it's worth it</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Hope this is food for thought and comment.</FONT>=
</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Dale Erwin</FONT></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"=
>Erwins Pianos
Restorations <BR>4721 Parker Rd.<BR>Modesto, Ca 95357<BR>209-577-8397<BR>Reb=
uilt
Steinway , Mason &Hamlin
Sales<BR>www.Erwinspiano.com</FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>