Pianotech

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Some pianos are set up with glide bolts set so the balance rail is held off the keybed.  Young Chang comes to mind.  Yamaha also.  Yamaha has two glide bolts that are not meant to be adjusted in the field.  They set the basic height and then the other bolts are adjusted.  When you change the key height by lowering the balance rail with the glide bolts, now you're going to potentially run into other problems with the "magic line" that were not anticipated.  You might have to raise the key height again by adding punchings on the balance rail pins.   When you do that, you might introduce some unwanted friction because the "magic line" is compromised.  Some actions, like the Yamaha, have a flexible key frame compared to the Steinway which has a much stiffer frame, which is why the Yamaha has those two glide bolts to set the initial balance rail height.  You are wise to inquire about the Estonia service manual, because that bedding procedure will likely save you a lot of time and head-scratching getting the regulation done properly.   

Glide bolts are sometimes used to vary the key height other than removing/adding punchings on the balance rail.  It's not a design flaw.

 Good luck.

------------------------------
Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 09:22
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Some pianos are set up with glide bolts set so the balance rail is held off the keybed.  Young Chang comes to mind.  Yamaha also.  Yamaha has two glide bolts that are not meant to be adjusted in the field.  They set the basic height and then the other bolts are adjusted.  When you change the key height by lowering the balance rail with the glide bolts, now you're going to potentially run into other problems with the "magic line" that were not anticipated.  You might have to raise the key height again by adding punchings on the balance rail pins.   When you do that, you might introduce some unwanted friction because the "magic line" is compromised.  Some actions, like the Yamaha, have a flexible key frame compared to the Steinway which has a much stiffer frame, which is why the Yamaha has those two glide bolts to set the initial balance rail height.  You are wise to inquire about the Estonia service manual, because that bedding procedure will likely save you a lot of time and head-scratching getting the regulation done properly.   

Glide bolts are sometimes used to vary the key height other than removing/adding punchings on the balance rail.  It's not a design flaw.

 Good luck.

------------------------------
Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 09:22
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Paul,

Assuming that you are referring to the "blind" balance rail glide bolts positioned between the glide bolts that appear between sections and are not accessible from above/between the keys, I question the notion that they should not be adjusted. Here's why:

1) All balance rails equipped with glide bolts are, to the best of my knowledge, designed to hold the balance rail itself off the keybed;

2) They are adjustable, and;

3) Yamaha technicians have offered advice about how to deal with these.

FWIW,

Alan

Some pianos are set up with glide bolts set so the balance rail is held off the keybed.  Young Chang comes to mind.  Yamaha also.  Yamaha has two glide bolts that are not meant to be adjusted in the field.  They set the basic height and then the other bolts are adjusted.  When you change the key height by lowering the balance rail with the glide bolts, now you're going to potentially run into other problems with the "magic line" that were not anticipated.  You might have to raise the key height again by adding punchings on the balance rail pins.   When you do that, you might introduce some unwanted friction because the "magic line" is compromised.  Some actions, like the Yamaha, have a flexible key frame compared to the Steinway which has a much stiffer frame, which is why the Yamaha has those two glide bolts to set the initial balance rail height.  You are wise to inquire about the Estonia service manual, because that bedding procedure will likely save you a lot of time and head-scratching getting the regulation done properly.   

Glide bolts are sometimes used to vary the key height other than removing/adding punchings on the balance rail.  It's not a design flaw.

 Good luck.

------------------------------
Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 09:22
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Hi Alan:

I'm repeating what i've read and heard about Yamaha pianos.  I am by no means an expert.  If you search this thread from some time ago, you'll get more opinions from others on Pianotech: "Adjusting Yamaha grand action glides".

Here's the link:

https://my.ptg.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=43&MessageKey=3faf65b0-5bef-40fd-b61e-e431992c321b&CommunityKey=6265a40b-9fd2-4152-a628-bd7c7d770cbf&tab=digestviewer

Best regards,

Paul

Paul,

Assuming that you are referring to the "blind" balance rail glide bolts positioned between the glide bolts that appear between sections and are not accessible from above/between the keys, I question the notion that they should not be adjusted. Here's why:

1) All balance rails equipped with glide bolts are, to the best of my knowledge, designed to hold the balance rail itself off the keybed;

2) They are adjustable, and;

3) Yamaha technicians have offered advice about how to deal with these.

FWIW,

Alan

Some pianos are set up with glide bolts set so the balance rail is held off the keybed.  Young Chang comes to mind.  Yamaha also.  Yamaha has two glide bolts that are not meant to be adjusted in the field.  They set the basic height and then the other bolts are adjusted.  When you change the key height by lowering the balance rail with the glide bolts, now you're going to potentially run into other problems with the "magic line" that were not anticipated.  You might have to raise the key height again by adding punchings on the balance rail pins.   When you do that, you might introduce some unwanted friction because the "magic line" is compromised.  Some actions, like the Yamaha, have a flexible key frame compared to the Steinway which has a much stiffer frame, which is why the Yamaha has those two glide bolts to set the initial balance rail height.  You are wise to inquire about the Estonia service manual, because that bedding procedure will likely save you a lot of time and head-scratching getting the regulation done properly.   

Glide bolts are sometimes used to vary the key height other than removing/adding punchings on the balance rail.  It's not a design flaw.

 Good luck.

------------------------------
Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 09:22
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Thanks for the link, Paul.

Hi Alan:

I'm repeating what i've read and heard about Yamaha pianos.  I am by no means an expert.  If you search this thread from some time ago, you'll get more opinions from others on Pianotech: "Adjusting Yamaha grand action glides".

Here's the link:

https://my.ptg.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=43&MessageKey=3faf65b0-5bef-40fd-b61e-e431992c321b&CommunityKey=6265a40b-9fd2-4152-a628-bd7c7d770cbf&tab=digestviewer

Best regards,

Paul

Paul,

Assuming that you are referring to the "blind" balance rail glide bolts positioned between the glide bolts that appear between sections and are not accessible from above/between the keys, I question the notion that they should not be adjusted. Here's why:

1) All balance rails equipped with glide bolts are, to the best of my knowledge, designed to hold the balance rail itself off the keybed;

2) They are adjustable, and;

3) Yamaha technicians have offered advice about how to deal with these.

FWIW,

Alan

Some pianos are set up with glide bolts set so the balance rail is held off the keybed.  Young Chang comes to mind.  Yamaha also.  Yamaha has two glide bolts that are not meant to be adjusted in the field.  They set the basic height and then the other bolts are adjusted.  When you change the key height by lowering the balance rail with the glide bolts, now you're going to potentially run into other problems with the "magic line" that were not anticipated.  You might have to raise the key height again by adding punchings on the balance rail pins.   When you do that, you might introduce some unwanted friction because the "magic line" is compromised.  Some actions, like the Yamaha, have a flexible key frame compared to the Steinway which has a much stiffer frame, which is why the Yamaha has those two glide bolts to set the initial balance rail height.  You are wise to inquire about the Estonia service manual, because that bedding procedure will likely save you a lot of time and head-scratching getting the regulation done properly.   

Glide bolts are sometimes used to vary the key height other than removing/adding punchings on the balance rail.  It's not a design flaw.

 Good luck.

------------------------------
Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 09:22
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

It means that the glide bolts were set high/deep to raise the balance rail, instead of just to establish contact with the key bed.  This is a relatively new piano (I think <7 years) and hasn't seen any work since the dealer.  Re-setting the glide bolts to standard approach lowered the keys/dip by about 2mm, and I'm finding it difficult to believe that the factory and/or dealer would choose a quick-fix method to establish key height on a $100k instrument.  So that's why I'm wondering if it was designed to be over-bedded in a certain way.  There's at least one other design thing I've never before seen. 

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 09:18
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 2/11/2026 9:19:00 AM
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: RE: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------

I recall that some Estonias I have seen have glide bolts installed in the key bed for bedding the front rail. In that case, placing the action on a workbench and expecting to easily replicate the bedding may be problematic.

Original Message:
Sent: 2/11/2026 9:19:00 AM
From: Stewart Freedman
Subject: RE: Estonia Regulation Manual?

"Over-bedded"? What does that mean?
Stewart
Sent from my iPad


Original Message:
Sent: 2/10/2026 9:15:00 AM
From: Robin Whitehouse
Subject: Estonia Regulation Manual?

Does anyone know if there's an Estonia service manual? 

Working a modern L210, I think it's around 8 years old, and was massively over-bedded.  Want to make sure that was actually an error and not a design feature, as I'm experiencing some irregularities getting dip to replicate on my bench.

------------------------------
Robin Whitehouse
Greenbelt, MD
D.C. Chapter 201
------------------------------