Repetition Revisited

[Roger Jolly]

Lance,
          After thought, with that much dip/ after touch, you could drop
the hammer line some.
Roger


At 10:47 PM 07/08/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Thanks Roger, I have plenty of aftertouch  (more than .396 dip - I use a
>penny with a hole drilled in it to get close, then feel for consistency)
>since these concert gymnists seem to like plenty.  I will get to work on
>your ideas and look forward to the article!  Thanks.
>
>P.S.  How do you decide what height new backchecks should be installed?  If
>originals were the big Steinway size and I am installing Renner(smaller).
>Often times pianos have been tampered with so much, I'm not sure what
>criteria to use.  I was told  after regulating, 1 1/2mm below the tail after
>drop but before aftertouch.
>Lance Lafargue, RPT
>Mandeville, LA
>New Orleans Chapter
>lafargue@iamerica.net
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
>Of Roger Jolly
>Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 12:18 PM
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Repetition Revisited
>
>
>Hi Lance,
>              Take a set of compasses, set them at 2 1/2'' to 2 5/8", place
>the pencil lead at the end of the molding at the bore hole,  set the point
>into the centre line of the shank, and scribe an arc on the tail.
>This will confirm if you have a tail geometry problem.  Gina and I have
>some photo's coming out in the Journal along with an explaination of tail
>and check geometry.
>Bill Spurlock's tailing jig will solve this problem for you.
>A reasonable rule of thumb to work from. Tailing arc, is half the radius of
>the centre to rear of the molding length. Most pianos fall in the 5" to 5
>1/4" range
>
>The Rake of the checks for Steinway I think is 22 degrees. Have to dig out
>some notes to confirm.
>
>What do you have for after touch?
>
>Regards Roger
>
>
>At 08:16 AM 07/08/00 -0500, you wrote:
>>Hey folks,
>>I had a problem with repetition on a Steinway concert grand last week that
>>has occurred before and hoped someone could help.
>>
>>I was working for an International Piano Competition in which some very
>good
>>players required lightning fast repetition and for the most part, I
>achieved
>>it.  As the week wore on and the rep springs were repeatedly tightened and
>>it was pounded on for 14 hours each day, I noticed a problem I've seen
>>before.
>>
>>This piano has Steinway hammers on it, but not factory original hanging.
>>1985...   After the key is depressed and only partially raised (1/8 inch?)
>>for the next blow, upon the next key depression the hammer gets wedged
>>against the backcheck and blocks.  It doesn't happen every time.  In other
>>words the hammer has let off and while the key is still almost completely
>>depressed the hammer tail is not against the upper part of the backcheck
>>like normal, but much lower and is trapped making the key feel almost like
>>the hammer is blocked against the string.
>>
>>Repetition springs are tight with plenty of bounce.  Key height is close to
>>spec, hammer line, dip, etc., all normal.  It doesn't seem like the rep
>>lever would allow the hammer to go that low and get trapped.  I have seen
>>this on another piano, older vintage (late 60's or 70's).  **I should also
>>add that I have not been able to get close checking without the tail
>rubbing
>>on the backcheck on hard blows and I also could not get good checking at
>all
>>on soft blows with the springs on the strong side.  I experimented with
>>backcheck angle to no avail.  HELP!!  Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Lance Lafargue, RPT
>>Mandeville, LA
>>New Orleans Chapter
>>lafargue@iamerica.net
>>
>Roger Jolly
>Saskatoon, Canada.
>306-665-0213
>Fax 652-0505
> 
Roger Jolly
Saskatoon, Canada.
306-665-0213
Fax 652-0505