Today I re-installed a reconditioned 1970 Steinway D lyre, and found that all the rods are too long. I believe all the basic parts are "original." I replaced all the pedal bushings -- leather, rubber pedal rod bushings with the little leather inserts, teflon pivot rod bushings, pedal cushions (ravioli) , etc. Now the sostenuto piston is protruding up into the keybed 1/8" or maybe 1/16", the dampers have a slight ring, and I'm not sure what's going on with the una corda because I still have the action torn down, but the trap lever looks high. The pedal rods are the newer adjustable type, and I didn't expect this to be a problem. But I've got the nut turned all the way down as far as it will go and they're still too long. There's only one leather disk on each trap lever (original I believe, and slightly worn in), and no felt or other bushing or shim in that area. I'm thinking this might be because the system in 1970 was to place a larger leather bushing in the bottom of the pedal receiving end, and the rubber bushing only went around the outside of the rod, whereas now you've got the thickness of the leather + the thickness of the rubber bushing underneath. But I thought they made the little leather inserts thinner than the larger diameter leather bushings that went in the bottom of the pedal. An alternative source for the problem might be thicker ravioli. I'm inclined to cut the rods, but don't want to mess up original equipment for the long term unless that is the way to go based on lots of experience from other reconditioners/rebuilders. Are there subtle differences in the length of pedal rods over the years? What about trying to compress the ravioli? Any other ideas? Am I missing something here? -- Paul Milesi, RPT Staff Piano Technician Howard University Department of Music Washington, DC
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