[pianotech] S&S "D" Keys with Attachments on To

[David Ilvedson]

Ah, yes...Ric is back... '-]   

I think you have a form letter on your computer and you just change a few piano items around and send it out...  '-]  

"never really been even close to quantified in any real sense of the word".   
"I dont see it written in stone"
"don't really see pianists making any kind of a point out of this."  

How many times have we seen these words?   '-]

Remember, Ric we are working on NY Steinways over here... '-]

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Richard Brekne" <ricbrek at broadpark.no>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 2/13/2009 9:02:22 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] S&S "D" Keys with Attachments on To


>One understands the general rational to be sure. Its just that the whole 
>thing has never really been even close to quantified in any real sense 
>of the word. Then too... I don't really see pianists making any kind of 
>a point out of this. If the general, albeit vague, consensus of pianists 
>assessment is laid to bear on the subject... then this seems less then a 
>necessary procedure.  I dont see it written in stone that the delay 
>between key depression and hammer string contact that can be traced to 
>key flexure is something pianists do not appreciate.  That said... I 
>have a few Yamaha's laying around that have a horrible delay feeling on 
>a hard blow... and key flexure has nothing to do with it.

>Not to dispute the desirability of stiffer keys on some instruments out 
>of hand... I just think it would be valuable to better quantify the 
>relationship between key stiffness, action compliance otherwise, and how 
>pianists react to various configurations.

>Cheers
>RicB


>    The basis is that they flex too much and you lose power at the upper
>    end. When Steinway went to the accelerated action they removed the
>    lower shoe in order to make room for the bearing.  On a D, in
>    particular, with extra key length that reduction in height adds
>    unwanted flex and it is easily demonstrated as well as felt on hard
>    blows with a delay between key depression and hammer string
>    contact.  Restoring the original height of the key with an elongated
>    top shoe also restores much of the lost stiffness. Keys can be too
>    stiff, I suppose, but it is not likely to happen in this situation.  

>    David Love
>    www.davidlovepianos.com