Choosing Parts

[Avery Todd]

Thanks Dave,

This is just about what I figured but I just wanted to be sure. BTW,
I'm planning on trying a set of Ronsen's on this particular piano on
Dale Erwin's recommendation. He said he'd had excellent luck with
them on the older M's like this one.

If it doesn't work out, I'll buy them back and put them on some piano
here in the school and get a different set, probably the Renner from
Lloyd.

Regards,
Avery

>The sample kit is a wonderful resource.  Take one note, say C-40, and
>put on a wippen, shank and dry fit hammer and regulate them.  See how
>they feel.  Measure the up-weight & down-weight.  Try a different
>shank.  Do the same.  Whatever measures out, and feels the best, buy
>them.  I tend to disagree with Lloyd on the 17mm knuckle shank, I
>think it can work on some Steinways.  It does allow for a heavier
>hammer and the cost of only a slight increase in dip.  Before the
>sample kit was available, I used to order parts by Steinway's
>recommendation for the time period of the piano.  I had one with all
>the "correct" parts that played like a truck.  Just try different
>parts and see what you get.
>
>dave
>
>*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
>
>On 7/23/2002 at 9:03 AM Avery Todd wrote:
>
>>List,
>>
>>Anyone have experience choosing parts from the Renner Parts Kit
>>for an older Steinway 'M' (1925). Below is from Lloyd:
>>
>>>We recommend restoring all quality pianos, particularly of this
>>>vintage, to their original design, using original dimension parts.
>>>In the case of Steinway, this cannot be determined by the serial
>>>number due to the way those pianos were designed at crafted at
>>>that time. This is why we designed the Sample Parts Kit. Simply
>>>test the different shanks & flanges and wippens in the piano to
>>>determine the best fit. For example, your piano will have angled
>>>capstans, so one might assume the angled heel wippen to be the
>>>best choice. The capstan angles varied considerably at that time,
>>>and it's possible the straight heel will actually work better.
>>>You have three different shanks & flanges for Steinway and two
>>>basic wippen designs in your Kit. The 17.0mm shank was never used
>>>in the original Steinway pianos so you can rule that one out.
>>>Test all the others in the piano to determine the best combination.
>>
>>I have the kit but I need some advice on what, specifically, I
>>should be looking for, etc. to determine that "best fit". The piano
>>(or action) isn't in the shop yet but will be soon. Any advice
>>appreciated.
>>
>>An old dog trying to learn new tricks.
>>Avery
>>University of Houston
>
>
>_____________________________
>David M. Porritt
>dporritt@mail.smu.edu
>Meadows School of the Arts
>Southern Methodist University
>Dallas, TX 75275
>_____________________________