Definitely would improve with a knuckle replacement job :-) Possibly that's a source of the noise as well.
Original Message:
Sent: 4/10/2026 8:38:00 AM
From: Vincent Chambers
Subject: RE: Parts replacement Drop Cushions & Knuckles
Not only are these knuckles hard, they are far from being seated.
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Vincent Chambers
Apollo Piano | Stanford
San Francisco, Chico CA
(530) 924-4469 Mobile; 732-642-1100
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2026 12:04
From: Kenneth Walkup
Subject: Parts replacement Drop Cushions & Knuckles
I recently replaced knuckles on a Feurich grand; about 40 years back, on the same piano, I put in Renner knuckles, and before the recent replacement these were the hardest I'd ever encountered. Really noisy. This time around, I used WNG parts; they make two types, one for wood shanks and the other, presumably, for their own shanks. Of course I used the ones intended for wood shanks. The cores were plastic of some kind, and too thick for the slots, but I found I could compress them with parallel pliers easily. Another thing to watch out for in the job is making sure that the knuckle core is seated all the way in the slot, and on both sides.
The trouble with the core material being too thick may not be an issue with Steinway parts, the shanks on the Feurich dated from about 1900, and were of the Renner type.
Ken
Historicalkeyboards.as.cornell.edu
Original Message:
Sent: 4/7/2026 6:35:00 PM
From: Vincent Chambers
Subject: RE: Parts replacement Drop Cushions & Knuckles
Great tips! Haven't tried the WNG knuckles, so that might be an option.
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Vincent Chambers
Apollo Piano | Stanford
San Francisco, Chico CA
(530) 924-4469 Mobile; 732-642-1100
Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2026 13:08
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Parts replacement Drop Cushions & Knuckles
I have done a whole set of knuckles. It's really not bad, and makes a LOT of sense if the hammers are still in good shape. You could probably even repin the hammer flanges while you're at it (if they're old they're probably too loose), and still come out ahead. The actual work of removing and gluing in the new knuckles doesn't take but a couple hours max -- most of the "fun" is in reregulating.
Crescent GG010 "Heavy Duty End Nipper" pliers are great for extracting the old knuckles (this is what the supply houses sell as "knuckle extracting pliers". Use your judgment as to whether the original glue joint needs some help from a razor blade to come apart without damaging the shank. A lot of times it'll pop them right out safely. Stick the new ones in with hot hide or fish glue.
I used the replacement knuckles sold by Abel, and they're are really nice and consistent. But I would check out the new silicone core ones from WNG now -- they weren't available at the time.
Replacing drop screw cushions isn't bad either. Ecsaine seems like as good of a material as any.
Original Message:
Sent: 4/7/2026 10:25:00 AM
From: Vincent Chambers
Subject: Parts replacement Drop Cushions & Knuckles
Hi Gang:
As I get up to speed in the university setting, and more familiar with S&S (I'm a Yamaha/Bösi man) I'm getting crazy loud clicks from knuckles and drop screw cushions, but not on the same pianos.
The hammers and whippens on these pianos look fine, though most of the hammers need some reshaping.
I'm trying to do an on the fly cost benefit analysis. For $200 in parts and a day's labor I suppose replacing a knuckle seems to make sense. But outside of the occasional knuckle replacement over the years, I have never replaced a complete set.
I did pull one of the weapons and replace the drop screw cushion with new buckskin and what a surprise… It's now silent. A set of weapons is closer to $1500'ish I believe off the top of my head.
For those of you who have done both approaches or considered both approaches which way do you generally go? The action on one Steinway D from 1927 has a new'ish action and key buttons and loud drop cushions.
Another is a 1960's era D also with a new'ish action but I'd swear someone dipped the knuckles in CA glue they're so hard.
Edit: drop screw buckskin is super easy to replace. Makes me look like a wizard.
Thanks in advance,
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Vincent Chambers
Apollo Piano | Stanford
San Francisco, Chico CA
(530) 924-4469 Mobile; 732-642-1100
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