older Steinway wippens

[Jon Page]

If you don't know the answers to these questions, how can you
justifiably sell them an action rebuilding?  There is a bigger chance
than you realize that by replacing parts you will not see a signifcant
improvement or even make it worse.

Hammers are in need of moderate filing, file. Teflon bushings
are not the scurge many would like you to believe. 

Determine their their playing needs then decide whether the whippens
are suitable, they could be reconditioned.

Regulate and lubricate as it is. If it does not suit their playing habits
then further steps can be taken. It just might suit their needs as is.

As far as the hammers moving on the rail, replace the present cloth
with fine emery cloth.

Jon Page
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. (jpage@capecod.net)
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PS. If you talk them into replacing the h/s/f 's - I'll buy them from you.
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At 04:18 PM 8/12/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear list:
>I'm preparing a work estimate for a customer with a 1902 Steinway B which
>had been rebuilt in the 1960s. Teflon bushing style hammer flanges and
>shanks and new hammers (which now just need moderate filing) were installed
>over the original, old style wippen. This is the wippen which has no jack
>position regulating screw, relying only on the felt in the balancier window
>to set the jack position relative to the knuckle. Those felt pieces were
>not replaced, although the wippen cushions may have been.
>The rep lever grooves are a bit gunky, and the spring tension not
>sufficient to lift the hammers.
>In addition, the hammer rail cloth is rather spongy; hammers move alot when
>the flange screws are tightened.
>I was originally called for an insurance estimate, but they are also
>interested in getting the piano into better condition.
>While the piano is fairly functional as-is, it is pretty far "off specs"
>(ie hammer shanks on rest cushions, wide drop, etc). I'm wondering how much
>of a morass I'll be getting myself into if I attempt to do the best I can
>by regulating these parts, without selling them on a complete action
>rebuild (new hammers, shanks & flanges, new wippens, etc).
>Any comments/suggestions?
>Thanks,
>Patrick Draine
>
>
>