[pianotech] Heavy Pedal Spring

[David Love]

Changing leverage requires removing the damper system and relocating the
pivot pin which isn't that hard if you are removing the dampers for some
other reason but it's time consuming if you are not.  There are two springs
in the Steinway system, one in the trap work and one on the damper tray.  If
the damper spring on the tray is located at the end of the tray you can
remove it and replace with a weaker coil spring located near the pitman at
the treble break.  First just remove it to see if that makes a difference.
You can then also remove the spring from the trap lever (or replace it with
a weaker one) and the pedals will generally function fine without it.  If
they are leaf springs then you can buy different gauges from the supply
houses.  Also, be sure that you don't have one of those old style brass
pitmans that has a tight bushing fit through the keybed that can be binding
and causing excess friction.  By drilling out that hole larger and replacing
the brass pitman with a wooden dowel that fits into a recess drilled into
the underside of the damper tray and also into the top of the trap lever you
can reduce unwanted friction that often occurs there.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Denise Rachel
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 1:34 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Heavy Pedal Spring

Yes, I've investigated that.  I like simple.  

D