Pianotech

Hello,

I'm gearing up for my first WNG back action installation. For the damper under levers, there is an option for either standard or aftermarket top flange for low/high sostenuto tab. No measurements are provided, so I'm struggling to know what I will be needing. Advice would be much appreciated.

FYI, the piano is a 1909 Schomacker grand (6'1", Steinway A1 copy). Any additional tips/tricks for this installation would be welcomed

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi Tim,

Here is a link to WNG's PDF "Selecting the Correct WNG Damper Action". 

The Underlever Top Flange options are on page 8.

WNG has all their instructional PDFs on their website here.

Wow, I missed that PDF somehow. I was working off of an awkwardly written and much shorter document. Thank you so much!

From reading through the article, WNG recommends converting the Steinway sostenuto system to the shorter underlever top flange so that the sostenuto rod can be mounted to the belly rail instead of the action, thereby allowing greater distance between the sostenuto rod and backchecks. The 1909 Schomacker grand I'm rebuilding has a nearly identical to Steinway action down to the monkey. Any cons to making this conversion?  Thanks!

Late in replying to your question. With the rebuilding/retrofitting you seem to already be doing with this Schomacker, I say go for it and mount the Sostenuto to the belly. Hamburg Steinway has been doing that since the 70s, and NY followed suit somewhat recently. You might as well do the same thing. Once converted it will make for easier Sostenuto timing after installation. There will still be Action in & out for some individual underlever adjustments. 

Here is a conversation about some changes to the NY Steinway. Two posts down Karl Roeder has pictures, two of them showing the Sostenuto mechanism attached to the Belly.