[CAUT] Fwd: S&S M Strike point

Ron Nossaman rnossaman at cox.net
Mon Dec 24 11:08:39 MST 2012


On 12/24/2012 9:27 AM, Bob Hull wrote:
> Hi Ron,
>
> For this action, I am replacing the rails and brackets with WN&G parts.
>   This process includes replacing the cleats for the brackets on the key
> frame.

Yes, I remember.

> Once this is done, I  will use the same shank length (basically)
> but this alone does not position the lower end of the action precisely
> at the best strike point ( or at the manufacturer's spec).

It should end up pretty close to the original. There are a few points to 
keep in mind here. First, a few millimeters deviation in strike point at 
A-0 won't be audible. Second, where the manufacture originally placed 
the strike point isn't necessarily the "best" point. Third, the bass 
bridge has changed, the cantilever was eliminated, and the speaking 
length is shorter, so hitting precisely the original strike point won't 
result in the same strike ratio as the original. Forth, the bass string 
scale has changed considerably from the original and won't sound exactly 
like the original wherever the strike point lands. The important part is 
that the action works as it should, and that the C-8 strike point is 
accurate. The C-8 speaking length has also changed, incidentally. It's 
gone from 50mm or under to around 53mm. This doesn't matter either as 
the strike point won't have changed much and you need to be setting the 
treble by sound in any case rather than by measurement or jig.



> I can just use the current strike point that the
> old action and hammer #1 is indicating, but would prefer to have the
> exact point.

I'd be curious to know if any two pianos actually measure the same too.


>This would not have changed with the belly work that you
> did.

No, it wouldn't, though it did change the strike ratio.


>I will contact Steinway and see if they will supply that information.

I'd be interested in what you learn.


> Once I have that strike point spec, then I have a process for
> positioning the brackets on the cleats to assure that the action is at
> the in/out position.

Moving the stack around will also affect the action ratio, which is why 
I suggested the action should be made to work as a first priority and 
the A-0 strike point will be close enough. I read that as JD's intent as 
well.

Ron N


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