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

[Richard Brekne]

You know David, I was thinking just now along similar lines. Tho the 
height of all keys is more or less uniform, their width is far from it. 
So far as to no doubt have a significant enough impact on individual key 
stiffness as to generate a sense of uneveness if lack of key stiffness 
is in general significant enough to be a factor for pianists in the 
first place.  Yet we register no such observation from pianists.

But let go... seems to me its just fine to let those of you who wish to 
make such assumptions and alterations do so if that be their pleasure.  
I'm not sure I see where empirical data plays in here tho, as it is the 
exact lack of any such data that was my point.  FW ceilings on the other 
hand have a data base of some 15000 sampled instruments at last count 
behind it.  And if we are to go by the only (at present) valid sampling 
we have as to soundboard design features..... well I am afraid one has 
to acknowledge the markets astoundingly overwhelming preference for a 
certain soundboard design which I need not name. The list does indeed go 
on. Unfortunately, we have literally nothing to base any conclusions on 
at all concerning the present subject... that is to say beyond the 
<<experience>> of some few technicians stateside. To my knowledge key 
stiffening is a non issue on this side of the pond. Still, seems to me a 
worthy pursuit... and deserves a closer, more discerning look.

Cheers
RicB


David Love wrote:
> If you waited to quantify the benefits of every possible procedure you'd
> probably never do anything.  However, I would imagine that the stiffness of
> a key can be calculated like any beam.  It would be pretty easy to compare
> the new and old Ds this way since the differences are really only in height
> (material and length are the same).  Many decisions about things while
> calculable are undertaken on empirical data.  That goes for FW ceilings,
> scaling, soundboard thickness, rib dimensions, tuning styles, the list goes
> on and on.  
>
> David Love
> www.davidlovepianos.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
> Of Richard Brekne
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 9:02 AM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> 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
>
>
>
>
>