<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif" xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3268" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV>Hi, William:</DIV> <DIV>    I'm going to second Mother about the wippen heels.  I'd go for replacement.  Also, check to see if the damper lever lift felt (end of damper lever) and see if there are divots.  The felt on these is very soft and not woven.  Sometimes the felt has "melted" something onto the spoons which causes them to become rough.  Then they "carve" holes in the damper lift felt.  </DIV> <DIV>    You could also strengthen the hammer return springs.  Take out some of the shims from the spring rail, or replace the springs with stronger ones.  All the springs are suspect.  A stronger jack spring will help too.  </DIV> <DIV>    Easiest is to rebalance the keys.  I hate jiffy leads, but in this case, you might need some.</DIV> <DIV>    Good luck.</DIV> <DIV>    Paul McCloud</DIV> <DIV>    San Diego</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Paul McCloud</DIV> <DIV>Service Technician for PianoSD.com</DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.pianoservsd.com">www.pianoservsd.com</A> </DIV> <DIV>Created with free BlueVoda software:</DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.vodahost.com/partner/idevaffiliate.php?id=9223_1_3_9">http://www.vodahost.com/partner/idevaffiliate.php?id=9223_1_3_9</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=pianoboutique@comcast.net href="mailto:pianoboutique@comcast.net">Piano Boutique</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 03/24/2008 1:20:00 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Steinway repetition problem</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=5>Greetings list,</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5><FONT face=Arial>Like so many that have written into this list, I am being backed into a corner and could appreciate any words of wisdom that might be offered.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>I have a customer with a Steinway 42 inch vertical , serial, 331374 that looks like it came out of the 60’s.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>The piano has what I think to be a Pratt Read action and the problem is with the repetition.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>This is one of those pianos that have very little mass weight in the keys behind the balance rail.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>When I started with it, there was a lot of free play in the capstans and of coarse, I thought I would improve it by adjusting them correctly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>Now the keys are stalling and I would like to solve the problem.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=5>I did take the action out and: shape hammers, clean, lube, tighten screws.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>I replaced the action and adjusted: level, dip, let off, back checks and like I said; capstans.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>I have had this problem with other Steinways like this one, but am getting tired of it and would like this one to work.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=5>I know I can add weights to the backs of the keys, but that would make the touch heavier.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>I could take out weights from in front of the balance point, but would like some suggestions on how to remove them carefully, so if it doesn’t work and decide to replace them I can.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=5>The customer has been patient and given me my space to create the magic we do, but if it doesn’t play right, then no one is happy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN>Thanks for any help in advance.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=5>William</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=5> </FONT></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>PIANO BOUTIQUE<BR>William Benjamin<BR>The tuner alone,<BR>Preserves the tone.</FONT></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>