[pianotech] S&S "D" Keys with Attachments on To

[Richard Brekne]

Hmm... perhaps you are onto something there David.  I think I'll call it
my "Common sense" template.  Btw... Kluge makes keys for both NY and
Hamburg.  Apparently,  key stiffness is not an issue with anyone outside
of a few techs stateside.  Seriously tho... the issue deserves closer
examination.

Cheers
RicB

David Ilvedson wrote:
> Ah, yes...Ric is back... '-]   
>
> I think you have a form letter on your computer and you just change a few piano items around and send it out...  '-]  
>
> "never really been even close to quantified in any real sense of the word".   
> "I dont see it written in stone"
> "don't really see pianists making any kind of a point out of this."  
>
> How many times have we seen these words?   '-]
>
> Remember, Ric we are working on NY Steinways over here... '-]
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "Richard Brekne" <ricbrek at broadpark.no>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Received: 2/13/2009 9:02:22 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] S&S "D" Keys with Attachments on To
>
>
>   
>> One understands the general rational to be sure. Its just that the whole 
>> thing has never really been even close to quantified in any real sense 
>> of the word. Then too... I don't really see pianists making any kind of 
>> a point out of this. If the general, albeit vague, consensus of pianists 
>> assessment is laid to bear on the subject... then this seems less then a 
>> necessary procedure.  I dont see it written in stone that the delay 
>> between key depression and hammer string contact that can be traced to 
>> key flexure is something pianists do not appreciate.  That said... I 
>> have a few Yamaha's laying around that have a horrible delay feeling on 
>> a hard blow... and key flexure has nothing to do with it.
>>     
>
>   
>> Not to dispute the desirability of stiffer keys on some instruments out 
>> of hand... I just think it would be valuable to better quantify the 
>> relationship between key stiffness, action compliance otherwise, and how 
>> pianists react to various configurations.
>>     
>
>   
>> Cheers
>> RicB
>>     
>
>
>   
>>    The basis is that they flex too much and you lose power at the upper
>>    end. When Steinway went to the accelerated action they removed the
>>    lower shoe in order to make room for the bearing.  On a D, in
>>    particular, with extra key length that reduction in height adds
>>    unwanted flex and it is easily demonstrated as well as felt on hard
>>    blows with a delay between key depression and hammer string
>>    contact.  Restoring the original height of the key with an elongated
>>    top shoe also restores much of the lost stiffness. Keys can be too
>>    stiff, I suppose, but it is not likely to happen in this situation.  
>>     
>
>   
>>    David Love
>>    www.davidlovepianos.com
>>     
>
>
>