Grrr!

[Joe Garrett]

Steinway "L" or "O" circa 1940/1945. A "war baby"! Probably got shoved in a corner when WWII rolled around. Then, got finished in 1945. (all stamped on the key frame)

Replacing all parts due to vertigris. At first glance/scrutiny all seems to be fine re. new parts v.s. olde parts, as far as dimensions go.

Setting up to do hammer samples on the action. Checked the knuckle alignment on the first two, (bass). Yikes! When the shanks are on the rail the knuckle is approx. 2mm further towards the hammers! Called Renner USA. AND, of course, the son "Chip" is at some Renner teaching thang! Grrrr!

Scrutinize the shank/flange real close. Turns out the olde flange is two mm shorter than the Modified/Original/Hamburg flanges! What the hell is that? Grrrr! Even the "real steinway" parts are off in comparison to this pos flange! Grrrrr!

Any clues how to get the shorter flange? Or, to get existing new parts to fit this critter? Or,...what kind of gyrations are needed to make this thing whole again.

I have a set of the longer let-off buttons that seem to put things, somewhat in spec., but not getting a reduction of leads wanted. The new hammers are about 4 grams more than the worn out originals. They put the down weight at too much.

Also, there is a ton of lead in the keys!  Six 1/2" leads per key until F33! Way too much imo. (which I want to reduce to about 1/2.)

Gosh, am I having fun yet?<G>

Best,

Joe

Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
gpianoworks.com