[CAUT] Natural key width

[Paul T Williams]

We have two Steinbuhler keyboards.  One in the practice room and one for a 
S&S D in the medium size concert hall.  The action for the D just sits in 
my shop.  Richard West said it has been used once. A very expensive 
concert indeed :>)

Paul





"Ed  Sutton" <ed440 at mindspring.com> 
Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
01/25/2008 01:31 PM
Please respond to
Ed  Sutton <ed440 at mindspring.com>; Please respond to
College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>


To
"College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
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Subject
Re: [CAUT] Natural key width






See 
www.steinbuhler.com/ 
They are very well made.
 
A pianist I know considers it life changing. Unfortunately she no longer 
plays any but her own piano.
The cost is not likely to make them common. $9,800, shipping and 
installation not included.
Perhaps new composite materials could lower the price.
 
Ed S.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ken Zahringer 
To: College and University Technicians 
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 1:43 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Natural key width

The industry standard, if there is one, is the 48 inch keyboard (although 
Steinway current production is 48 3/8”).  Divide that up over 52 white 
keys, and there isn’t really any variation possible in key spacing, and 
any significant variation in width just gives the Letterman effect.  The 
DS 7/8 keyboard is 42 inches.  We don’t have one here, but I have heard 
several very positive reviews of it.

Regards,
Ken Z.


On 1/25/08 12:06 PM, "Paul T Williams" <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> 
wrote:


List, 

Is there a standard in the industry for piano key width on the naturals. 
Nearly all the pianos here are at 23mm except for the five Mason and 
Hamlins from the 20's we have which measure 22mm giving them a 
disconcerting space between the keys. Think of David Letterman <G>. We 
have no European pianos so I can't measure them. 

One of our piano professors is doing some kind of research paper and was a 
big advocate for one of our practice Steinways to have a 7/8th keyboard 
installed for small handed students.  (It hardly ever gets played!) 

Thanks 

Paul 

-- 
Ken Zahringer, RPT
Piano Technician
MU School of Music
297 Fine Arts
882-1202
cell 489-7529

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