Hi All,
The subject line would have been even longer if it included the problem (allegedly) encountered with same.
Steinway D, less than five years old. Original action parts manufactured by Steinway New York. Complaint was that the action was too light. (And this from a world-class pianist and highly sought-after teacher, who has much more knowledge about how the darn thing works than the do the vast majority of his peers.) Static Touch Weight measurements were not too far off (and the hammers were not too hard, which can contribute to the perception that the action is lighter), but key bushings and balance holes were too loose, as were 90% of the hammer flange action centers. Dealt with the keystick contact points. There was evidence that many of the hammer centers had already been repinned, and yet were still unacceptably loose. The technician who normally services this instrument confirmed that this was indeed the case. (Our normal working spec is five swings of the hammer when dropped from horizontal while holding the flange still at vertical, with the amount of friction on each side either identical or close to it.)
So, what I want to find out is this: Have others had the experience of repinning these kinds of parts (to reduce friction to similar, optimal condition), only to have them promptly loosen up again (and I don't mean a little, but to 10, 20, 30 and more swings)? We have repinned the hammer centers and were cautioned by someone with much more experience with these parts than I have that they will just loosen up all over again. Gosh, I sure hope those hours of repinning were not all for naught.
Alan
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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
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