Steinway "pinning" dilemma - Eric's Answer

[Jim Busby]

List,

Eric Schandall was here today and this is his response about the "zero
friction" pinning question; 

1. Less than 1 gram is too little. Repin to 1-4 grams. No more than 4.
In his experience he says this works for the NY S&S. (I will need to
repin several of the grands in question at Steinway's expense.)
2. Tail shape is undergoing some change and review. For now, reshape the
tails to obtain a better radius.  (by clamping them while on the action
and sanding them with a drill attachment or similar method, Quick and
easy.)  
3. Do not checker the tails but do get any "glaze" off by doing a light
sanding. (If they don't need reshaping).
4. Regulate well.

He says this how the C&A techs do it and that 1-4 grams is plenty. After
seeing how good his regulations are I'm almost a believer. Eric was more
than willing to entertain my concerns and teach me why he thinks their
system works well. But he also says that other systems can work equally
well and was not at all "snooty".

In the Steinway Service Manual it states that even 0 grams friction is
OK if there is no side play, but Eric says this isn't necessarily so. 

The bottom line - 1 to 4 grams, reshape tails. Regulate. No problem!
(Don't shoot me... I'm just the reporter!)

Thanks for all the info that has come out of this. 

Jim Busby BYU