to Eric, Fred and all others I consulted with in KC, just a brief update on the 55' S&S B action in question: (see initial test specs below) Thanks to everyone (including presenters Kent Webb and Wally Brooks) who encouraged me to try the 17mm knuckle spread. The action easily met the weigh-off goal, (removed 40 - 1/2" leads in total) and regulated out at 9.5mm* and 47.5mm! (1 7/8"!) (*10mm key-block & light test-touch, measures 9.5mm below neighboring tops on a mf blow) I noticed this on the bench, but chickened-out (the client lives in WPG, 2.5 hours away) and reset the blow at 45mm, just a shade wider than spec (44mm / 1 3/4"). Sure enough, at the piano I ended up dialing down the capstans and peeling the rebound felt coverings off just to gain some shank clearance! I had worried (up until KC) that the larger knuckle spread would have required some big clunky 11mm key-dip, or that further measures would be necessary. So thanks for the benefit of all your experience and encouragement guys! BTW, did anyone resolve why the old SD-6's won't pass a standard repetition-spring test? best regards, Mark Cramer, Brandon University 1955 Steinway B initial test specs: Modern Steinway hammers installed on original shanks/flanges. Customer complaint: tendonitus (Sadly, as you'll gather below, the original technician would likely still have this client, had he even bothered to spend an hour servicing the knuckles) Preliminary Assessment: Note #21 (original wippen / no friction treatment to action or keys) 1.) Steinway hammer 8.8g / original knuckle / 3g center friction D: 73g U: 27g F: 23g 2.) As above after servicing (filing/teflon) the knuckle D: 61g U: 30g F: 15.5g 3.) Abel hammer 7.6g (fully trimmed)/ original shank/knuckle (serviced) D: 52g U: 21g F: 15.5g 4.) Abel hammer / Abel 16mm shank/flange / 2g center friction D: 50g U: 24g F: 13g 5.) Abel hammer / Abel 17mm shank/flange / 2g center friction D: 46g U: 23g F: 11.5
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