Hi, All,
Only FWIW, I think that it's important to remember that, as S&S still
considers their product to be hand made, that different parts will run
through/out during productions runs at different rates. In this case,
I'm pretty sure that the move away from the proper accelerated action
was begun in the 79/80 production years, and was complete by 84/85. The
point is that some models would have had the older actions/keysets
somewhat (but only somewhat) longer that some of the others.
It's also important to remember that the "accelerated action" actually
consists of two main parts, U.S. Patents #s 1,826,848; and 2,031,748.
Neither of them contain the term "accelerated" in the titles of the
patent application titles. (The former is entitled: "Piano Ky
Mounting"; and the latter "Piano Keyboard". Even though these patents
were granted some years apart (1931 & 1936, respectively), that the line
of research for both of them was developed in parallel is implied in the
following part of the description of the earlier work, it reads, in part:
"Owing to the provision of the half-round bearing body, and to the fact that
the key comes in contact with the pin only along the front and rear
lines 31, the key may be said to be pivotally mounted upon the bearing
body and so as to have free and unobstructed rocking movement thereon
with a minimum of resistance of resistance offered to such rocking
movement. With this form of novel mounting, the key can be depressed
with??? great ease and its re-positioning movement, owing to the absence
of frictional resistance, is effected rapidly and with considerable
force. One of the important advantages which flows from??? this novel
mounting, is that a less number of weights as may be incorporated in the
forward portion of the key."
(Lines 102 through 119, inclusive. The numbers in the body refer to
numbered action parts in the patent drawings. The patents are attached.)
In any event, there were a number of factors involved in the decision,
most of which have already been ground very finely in the mill here and
elsewhere many times.
Hope that this is of some interest, if not help.
Kind regards.
Horace
On 1/30/2020 8:58 PM, Jeannie Grassi via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
> Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.
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> Bill Shull might have some info on this. ~ jeannie
>
> Jeannie Grassi, Registered Piano TechnicianBainbridge Island, WA206-842-3721email:
grassipianos@gmail.com>
>
Original Message------
>
> Interesting discussion! Thanks all. As I recall, mid-80s was when they started using Renner action parts in the Bs and Ds, too. Teri Hi, all, David and I are sitting here scratching our heads. It seems like it was about the time they went from Pratt Read keyboards to Kluge. We... -posted to the "CAUT" community Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login. CAUT <https://my.ptg.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer?tab=digestviewer&CommunityKey=76c8d8e5-6fa1-4522-9fa9-006ff252729b&MDATE=648547575&UserKey=726c3e1b-4269-442b-8c67-0cb7cbc37c20&sKey=KeyRemoved> Post New Message Re: Accelerated Action
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> <https://my.ptg.org/network/members/profile?UserKey=762a7ddc-0d4b-4449-8060-280d22eed929> Jan 30, 2020 8:26 PM Kathy Smith <https://my.ptg.org/network/members/profile?UserKey=762a7ddc-0d4b-4449-8060-280d22eed929> Hi, all,
>
> David and I are sitting here scratching our heads. It seems like it was about the time they went from Pratt Read keyboards to Kluge. We recall pianos from 1980 and 1984 that still had Pratt Read keyframes with accelerated weighing. The person to ask, for an exact year and/or reasons, would be David Kirkland. He was deeply involved with Roy Kehl and the company history Roy was researching.
>
> For what it's worth, Steinway owns Kluge now so if front leads are coming pre-installed, you'd think it would be at their request.
>
> Okay, we gave up and went to dig out the book.
>
> "The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos" book by Kehl and Kirkland, says that in 1984 they had the "action geometry change; the NY knuckle went farther from the center like Hamburg for improved leverage." And then it says that by "1985 Conversion completed from Pratt Read (sugar pine keysticks) to Hermann Kluge (Bavarian spruce keysticks) as supplier of keyboards.
>
> We're supposing that it was at that time they had just finished up with Teflon then Teflon II Permafree bushing cloth (1982) and were rethinking a lot of the action details. That's all on pages 126-127 in the book we mentioned. The chapter is called Chapter 3: Steinway & Sons Production Highlights.
>
> Interesting. Hope it's of help, Nick.
>
> Kathy and David
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Original Message------
Bill Shull might have some info on this.
~ jeannie
Jeannie Grassi, Registered Piano Technician
Bainbridge Island, WA
206-842-3721