1906 Stwy wippens

[Richard Brekne]

You could either use this as an opportunity to learn a good deal about 
some basic action re-design, or a good deal about how to restore old 
action parts to their origional (working) condition.  Shanks are no 
problem... but just make sure you are dealing with the same size 
knuckle, and same placement for said..... or simply replace the knuckles 
yourself and leave the shanks.. learn a bit about rebushing flanges 
while you are at it.  Whippens are the same thing... you can replace 
virtually every peice of felt and the rep spring if you want to.... 
there is generally nothing wrong with the wood peices themselves... 
perhaps a little bending might be needed but thats generally about it.  
If these are in good shape asside from the whippen cushion... then 
perhaps installation of new whippens is all that you need to do.  I 
wouldnt worry too much about the jack positioning screw... or the 
capstan. Install new felt to the correct thickness for the jack, and 
polish up the existing capstans.

OR....

you can replace things with newer parts that are not meant for this 
action and learn about how to redesign things so as to arrive at a 
predetermined result.  New parts and redesign can get expensive tho... 
and you dont have the option of fudging so much on your price to the 
customer.... you simply have to pay for the parts yourself.

Either way you are going to need instruction and help from someone 
nearby who knows these things.

Its a great learning opportunity !

Cheers
RicB

jason kanter wrote:

> Client has a beautiful 1906 Steinway B. It will need new hammers and 
> shanks (misshapen knuckles). The wippens have moth damage, and they 
> are the old jack style that had no jack positioning screw. The 
> capstans are set at an angle. Will new wippens fit this old action? Or 
> should I refurb the old wippens?
>  
> Jason