Greetings, First! I know the factory is watching, and can answer all of these questions, but before they do, us chickens oughta take our best peep at it. Here's mine................. The question has arisen as to the value of the Steinway accelerated action. Specifically, does it make a difference?. Is it an advertising ploy? Do you have to be a really accomplished pianist to tell the difference? What exactly is meant by accelerated? On paper, it appears that the half round fulcrum introduces a rising rate to the geometry, i.e., the amount of capstan movement per unit of key depression is greater at the end of the keystroke than at the beginning, as a result of the fulcrum moving proximally during the key travel. It seems this would have the effect of "gearing" the action parameters so that the initial movement would benifit from the greatest leverage advantage, and the final degrees of keystoke would enjoy "taller gears" for maximum velocity. The patent, I believe, calls for the lead to be located as close as possible to the fulcrum. In practise, I have heard no particular advantage noted by performers when comparing pre 1934 Steinways to the later models. Several of the studios at the school have early and late model instruments side by side, and half of the preferred pianos are the non-accelerated actions. go figure... Regards, Ed Foote
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