[pianotech] Heavy Pedal Spring

[Jim Busby]

Hi Wim,

Maybe this is too simplistic but moving the pivot pin is how Eric Shandall told us to fix many S&S models with a heavy feel. In fact, Eric said they were coming out of the factory wrong. (The guys were simply drilling the hole in the wrong place) Imagine that... <G> That is what I meant in my short answer, plus I was heading out the door in a hurry! You will also need to adjust travel, stop block, etc. But generally it's NOT the spring, IMO.

As a sometimes player installer I've had to manufacture/change trapwork a lot. It's really not too hard. Just take out a piece of wood and make a stick that is longer than the current lever and cut it to size. Move the springs, leather, etc. to the new home. Measure the distances, making a change in ratios. The first time it took me an hour. I'm slow! Now, about half that time, including painting. Making new pivot blocks is sometimes in order. Nothing sacred about trapwork. The solution above, though (S&S) takes about 5 minutes or less.

So, I don't think a rebuilder needs to be retained, but Wim, I'd be glad to fly to Hawaii on your nickel if ever you do need help!

Regards,
Jim

p.s. I've still drive in snow daily, so maybe it will be on my nickel!


________________________________
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of wimblees at aol.com [wimblees at aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:52 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Heavy Pedal Spring

For rebuilders, this might be an "easy" and doable solution. But what do non-rebuilders do, short of calling in a rebuilder. But even at that, is this a problem that can be solved with a weaker spring?

Wim

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Nossaman <rnossaman at cox.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thu, Feb 11, 2010 11:13 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Heavy Pedal Spring

wimblees at aol.com<mailto:wimblees at aol.com> wrote:
> Steinway sustain pedals are notoriously heavy. But from what I've been > told, it's not the spring. It's the leverage, and there isn't much that > can be done about it.

Nonsense, there's always something that can be done. Like Jim says, change the leverage.
Ron N
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