[CAUT] Shimming the Steinway Action Stack

[Andrew Anderson]

So I gather that most of you consider this a time to re-hammer with  
longer hammers.  I was hoping that shimming the stack would allow use  
of normal hammers (stock or alternatives).

Regarding the capstan wippen cushion interface crossing the line at  
almost full dip in the bass (as opposed to about half dip in the  
treble) would you consider relocating the bass end of the stack  
(higher /?) to help remedy that?

I suppose Ds also benefit from selecting the hammer line in the treble  
too?

Anything else?

Andrew Anderson


On Mar 5, 2010, at 5:49 PM, Andrew Anderson wrote:

> Measurements as follows:
>
> Left to right string height, measured at each break.
> Bass 8&1/16" to 8&1/8"  Tenor 7&13/16 to 7&7/8  "alto" 7&7/8 to 8"   
> treble (across the break) 7&15/16" to 7&7/8"
>
> Hammer Bore: bass 2&3/16"  tenor 1&13/16" to 1&3/4"
>
> Hammers were sanded and polished, presuming circa 1/16 to 3/32 wear
>
> hammer tail length measured from center of shank to tail  bass  
> 1&3/16" tenor up 1&1/16
>
> hammer shank flange center pin height 5&13/16" consistent
>
> wippen center pin height 3&5/16"
>
> action spread 4&3/8"
>
> drop screw clearence below pinblock & stretcher >=5/32"
>
> hammer blow distance varying from 2&1/16" to 1&15/16" in high treble
>
> key dip is 7/16"
>
> let-off is 3/32"
>
> damper timing: 9/16" hammer rise
>
> The work (except sanding the hammers) is factory and the regulation  
> is the dealer tech.'s
>
> Capstan height above key is circa 9/16"
>
> magic line capstan cushion intersect at 3/16" dip in the treble and  
> at pretty much full dip in the bass.
>
> >= 3/32" gap between keys and thick fallboard felt.
>
> Those are the measurements of the beast.  Of-course a "slow/ 
> sluggish" action is only half the problem.  The other is a sweet shy  
> tone available with a karate chop in the mid treble.
>
> Andrew Anderson