This might sound elementary but have you checked for pulley keys? If the keys have front to back motion they may Move rearward on a slow release causing them to jam up against the back check. Then on a harder blow they work fine. A simple problem with a huge impact. Just a thought. Rob Goodale, RPT Las Vegas, NV Lance Lafargue wrote: > Hey folks, > I had a problem with repetition on a Steinway concert grand last week that > has occurred before and hoped someone could help. > > I was working for an International Piano Competition in which some very good > players required lightning fast repetition and for the most part, I achieved > it. As the week wore on and the rep springs were repeatedly tightened and > it was pounded on for 14 hours each day, I noticed a problem I've seen > before. > > This piano has Steinway hammers on it, but not factory original hanging. > 1985... After the key is depressed and only partially raised (1/8 inch?) > for the next blow, upon the next key depression the hammer gets wedged > against the backcheck and blocks. It doesn't happen every time. In other > words the hammer has let off and while the key is still almost completely > depressed the hammer tail is not against the upper part of the backcheck > like normal, but much lower and is trapped making the key feel almost like > the hammer is blocked against the string. > > Repetition springs are tight with plenty of bounce. Key height is close to > spec, hammer line, dip, etc., all normal. It doesn't seem like the rep > lever would allow the hammer to go that low and get trapped. I have seen > this on another piano, older vintage (late 60's or 70's). **I should also > add that I have not been able to get close checking without the tail rubbing > on the backcheck on hard blows and I also could not get good checking at all > on soft blows with the springs on the strong side. I experimented with > backcheck angle to no avail. HELP!! Thanks in advance. > > Lance Lafargue, RPT > Mandeville, LA > New Orleans Chapter > lafargue@iamerica.net
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