Pianotech

Ok, I'm kinda stumped.  I'm regulating a 15 yr old Steinway D.  Parts are in pretty good condition, not a lot of wear.  Several (5-6 of the drop screws are turned up all the way, yet I still need more drop out of these keys.  Anyone know of a workaround for this problem?

Please be aware that in order to get some aftertouch on this action I've already set the dip a bit lower than spec (10.5 mm+), the hammer shanks are a little higher off the rest rail than I would prefer (1/4"+) , letoff is a little more than optimal (a bit more than 1/16th in all sections above bass).

Because the piano has little wear on the action parts, I don't see why this action would be difficult to regulate.  At this point all the settings can be made acceptable except for the drop screw problem, which causes a mushy feel because I can't get letoff and drop to be simultaneous unless I set letoff unacceptably far away from the strings.

Does anyone have a remedy for drop screws turned up to their limit but still allowing too much drop?

ps - Regulating for a concert this weekend.  Ordering new parts, etc is not an option.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

My bet is that the String Plane or String Height (SH) is higher than 'spec'. Attached is some info that Newton Hunt posted many years ago.

Measure the Hammer Center Height (HCH). The Wippen Center Height (WCH) should be 64mm below that.

You'll more than likely need to elevate the top action to satisfy this equation: SH - HCH = Hammer Bore.

Another way to get more 'drop' is to replace the cover at the end of the rep lever with thinner material. On one set, I needed to remove wood as well as install thinner Ecsaine.

Raising the top action will also bring the Let Off closer.

Ok, I'm kinda stumped.  I'm regulating a 15 yr old Steinway D.  Parts are in pretty good condition, not a lot of wear.  Several (5-6 of the drop screws are turned up all the way, yet I still need more drop out of these keys.  Anyone know of a workaround for this problem?

Please be aware that in order to get some aftertouch on this action I've already set the dip a bit lower than spec (10.5 mm+), the hammer shanks are a little higher off the rest rail than I would prefer (1/4"+) , letoff is a little more than optimal (a bit more than 1/16th in all sections above bass).

Because the piano has little wear on the action parts, I don't see why this action would be difficult to regulate.  At this point all the settings can be made acceptable except for the drop screw problem, which causes a mushy feel because I can't get letoff and drop to be simultaneous unless I set letoff unacceptably far away from the strings.

Does anyone have a remedy for drop screws turned up to their limit but still allowing too much drop?

ps - Regulating for a concert this weekend.  Ordering new parts, etc is not an option.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

My bet is that the String Plane or String Height (SH) is higher than 'spec'. Attached is some info that Newton Hunt posted many years ago.

Measure the Hammer Center Height (HCH). The Wippen Center Height (WCH) should be 64mm below that.

You'll more than likely need to elevate the top action to satisfy this equation: SH - HCH = Hammer Bore.

Another way to get more 'drop' is to replace the cover at the end of the rep lever with thinner material. On one set, I needed to remove wood as well as install thinner Ecsaine.

Raising the top action will also bring the Let Off closer.

Ok, I'm kinda stumped.  I'm regulating a 15 yr old Steinway D.  Parts are in pretty good condition, not a lot of wear.  Several (5-6 of the drop screws are turned up all the way, yet I still need more drop out of these keys.  Anyone know of a workaround for this problem?

Please be aware that in order to get some aftertouch on this action I've already set the dip a bit lower than spec (10.5 mm+), the hammer shanks are a little higher off the rest rail than I would prefer (1/4"+) , letoff is a little more than optimal (a bit more than 1/16th in all sections above bass).

Because the piano has little wear on the action parts, I don't see why this action would be difficult to regulate.  At this point all the settings can be made acceptable except for the drop screw problem, which causes a mushy feel because I can't get letoff and drop to be simultaneous unless I set letoff unacceptably far away from the strings.

Does anyone have a remedy for drop screws turned up to their limit but still allowing too much drop?

ps - Regulating for a concert this weekend.  Ordering new parts, etc is not an option.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

Ok, I'm kinda stumped.  I'm regulating a 15 yr old Steinway D.  Parts are in pretty good condition, not a lot of wear.  Several (5-6 of the drop screws are turned up all the way, yet I still need more drop out of these keys.  Anyone know of a workaround for this problem?

Please be aware that in order to get some aftertouch on this action I've already set the dip a bit lower than spec (10.5 mm+), the hammer shanks are a little higher off the rest rail than I would prefer (1/4"+) , letoff is a little more than optimal (a bit more than 1/16th in all sections above bass).

Because the piano has little wear on the action parts, I don't see why this action would be difficult to regulate.  At this point all the settings can be made acceptable except for the drop screw problem, which causes a mushy feel because I can't get letoff and drop to be simultaneous unless I set letoff unacceptably far away from the strings.

Does anyone have a remedy for drop screws turned up to their limit but still allowing too much drop?

ps - Regulating for a concert this weekend.  Ordering new parts, etc is not an option.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

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Tim Jasnau
Makawao HI
808-633-6655
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