Pianotech

  • 1.  New Steinway keyboard and action frame for a 1923 S&S Model O?

    Member
    Posted 17 hours ago

    Hi,

    All parts are original except for the hammers, strings and key tops. These were replaced when the piano was reconditioned in 1983.

    Steinway sells new keyboards and action frames. Am I correct in assuming that these are pretty much drop in replacements for the old parts? I anticipate minor adjustment of the action frame height in order to match the existing action elevations. 



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    Benjamin Lian
    Singapore
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  • 2.  RE: New Steinway keyboard and action frame for a 1923 S&S Model O?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 7 hours ago
    Benjamin.

    Unless it's now different than it was 30 years ago, you get a kit that you had to assemble yourself. You get a keyframe, but you have to make the cut outs for the cheek blocks, and make it fit inside the action cavity, and allow room for the spring. It came with the holes for the key pins, but you have to put them in yourself. You had to supply the front and balance rail punchings. It came with the wedges where the action stacks sits, but you have to position them and glue them in place. (That was the hardest part). Then you have to weigh off the keys.  You can save a lot of time and trouble if you keep the old frame for a reference.   

    Wim





  • 3.  RE: New Steinway keyboard and action frame for a 1923 S&S Model O?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 hours ago

     Nope. Not even close. Steinways are hand built pianos, especially during that era. Current Steinway keysets are made by Kluge these days, and they will almost always require major forefinishing to fit into a 100 year old piano. Think  trimming check blocks, moving fall board, installing capstans and backchecks and modifying action geometry to match the new parts. And you're almost always better off using the original action frame. 

    -Dean 



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    Dean Reyburn, RPT
    Reyburn Pianoworks
    Reyburn CyberTuner
    1-616-498-9854
    dean@reyburn.com
    www.reyburnpianoworks.com
    www.cybertuner.com
    www.reyburntools.com
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/dean.reyburn
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  • 4.  RE: New Steinway keyboard and action frame for a 1923 S&S Model O?

    Member
    Posted 3 hours ago
    Dean, thanks for the reality check. There is a long split running along the mounting strut for one of the action frame's cleats. It passes through the screw hole. The repair done with glue (probably in the 1983 rebuild) has failed, and the strut has come apart again.





  • 5.  RE: New Steinway keyboard and action frame for a 1923 S&S Model O?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 hours ago

    Hi Benjamin,

    That's a woodworking repair than any competent rebuilder or woodworker should be able to handle. Splice in some new wood and fit with west system epoxy.

    -Dean



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    Dean Reyburn, RPT
    Reyburn Pianoworks
    Reyburn CyberTuner
    1-616-498-9854
    dean@reyburn.com
    www.reyburnpianoworks.com
    www.cybertuner.com
    www.reyburntools.com
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/dean.reyburn
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