Shanks & Flanges

[Frank Weston]

I have done six Steinway grands in the past 18 months and used Renner in
five and Steinway in the last one.  Unless someone holds a gun to my head,
I will not use Steinway again.  I encountered these problems with the
Steinway components:

knuckles were random diameters

hammer bore was + or minus 1/8 inch

flanges were mostly too tight and many had to be repined

felt used in flange bushings was very poorly installed, most felt fell out
on repining and felt also had to be replaced.

Steinways "A/B" hammers are about 150% heavier than original A hammers, and
the filing required was grossly excessive.

New wippens weigh about 8 grams more than original (vintage 1900 to 1930)
wippens.

All in all, the new Steinway parts look good in the box, but they cost more
and the quality is not as high as the Renner.  You'll spend more time
working on the Steinway parts, and the piano will certainly not perform any
better because of them.  I love the tone of the Steinway hammers, but the
hassle required to use all Steinway parts in just not worth it.

Frank Weston



----------
> From: David ilvedson <ilvey@jps.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Shanks & Flanges
> Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 5:50 AM
> 
> List,
> 
> Steinway B, teflon...I will be installing new shanks and 
> flanges.  Pro & Cons of Steinway NY parts or Renner parts.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA
> ilvey@jps.net