[CAUT] Shimming the Steinway Action stack to reach the strings

Stan Kroeker smkroeker at shaw.ca
Fri Feb 26 15:29:23 MST 2010


I'm not sure I understand how raising the stack (with shims) will  
change the optimum hammer blow distance.  We're assuming the action is  
otherwise regulated to spec?  ie:  10mm keydip, 2 mm letoff, 0.040"  
aftertouch (sorry to mix units)?  Won't you simply be raising the  
capstans to meet the higher whippen heel and all else remains, more or  
less, the same?

Someone mentioned the word 'ratio'.  Might this be measured to  
determine if, perhaps, the capstans ought to be repositioned as part  
of this realignment?

Best regards from the cheery Canadian prairie,

Stan Kroeker, RPT

On 26-Feb-10, at 2:26 PM, Chris Solliday wrote:

> And Jim is probably right in this case, as over 2 inches blow  
> distance is alot. Not to mention that you say the drop screws are  
> fully backed out. You may need different dimensioned parts. I guess  
> the point is that we in cyberspace need alot more information from  
> you before we can get specific.
> Chris Solliday
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: James N. Hess
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Cc: caut at ptg.org
> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 3:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Shimming the Steinway Action stack to reach the  
> strings
>
> Often you are very limited on the amount you can raise the stack  
> because of interference with the pinblock. My experience has been  
> that you may be able to add 1/16". I think reboring the hammers is a  
> better solution.
>
> Jim Hess, RPT
>
> On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:58:36 -0500 "Chris Solliday"  
> <csolliday at rcn.com> writes:
> String Height minus Hammer Bore equals Shank Center Pin Height. We  
> use laminated shim stock that we get from the local hobby store.  
> Realize that just raising the pin height MIGHT work, but consider  
> the arc of the hammer blow. You could end up with the hammer over  
> centering if you simply raise the feet under the hammer flange pins.  
> You need to imagine the pin in space and rotate the stack around it  
> so that the stike point ends up at ninety degrees to the string. It  
> might not be that now. Usually this means shimming the front foot  
> slightly as well. Best of luck Andrew.
> Chris Solliday, RPT
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Andrew Anderson
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 12:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Shimming the Steinway Action stack to reach the  
> strings
>
> Yes, mea culpa.  Wasn't really thinking the numbers...most likely 2"+
>
> On Feb 26, 2010, at 11:30 AM, reggaepass at aol.com wrote:
>
>>
>> The school whose Steinways I service is not satisfied with the  
>> dealer's warranty fix (greater then 1" blow distance).
>> Andrew,
>>
>> Not sure what you mean by this ("greater then 1" blow distance").   
>> Did you mean greater than 2" (since it sounds like the strings are  
>> too high)?
>>
>> Alan Eder
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Andrew Anderson <andrew at andersonmusic.com>
>> To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>> Sent: Fri, Feb 26, 2010 9:13 am
>> Subject: [CAUT] Shimming the Steinway Action stack to reach the  
>> strings
>>
>> The school whose Steinways I service is not satisfied with the  
>> dealer's warranty fix (greater then 1" blow distance). They are  
>> requesting that the piano be made to play like it should which will  
>> require shimming the stack so it is within reach of the strings  
>> (>1/4" between fully backed out drop-screws and pinblock).
>>
>> Has anyone done this? What was the scope of work required? What is  
>> a reasonable amount of time to complete the work?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Andrew Anderson
>
>
>
> James Hess, RPT
> 200 W. Allen St.
> Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
> 717/580-1445 (cell)
> www.hesspiano.com
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Love Spell
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