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Larry, do you know why the keyframe front rail might be 2.5 mm thicker in the bass than the treble?
Setting the dip on this is weird, in the bass i can only just get enough dip with no paper punchings, but in the treble i need loads!

Hi Larry,
No, I was last week, and realized that your place was just one floor above Jude's shop when I went by there. Wish we could have met, but perhaps in the future!
Thanks,
Ed

I apologize, I don't have a good answer for you. I can email someone at Steinway NY and ask. You can do that as well. Kent Webb is a great source of information as is David Kirkland.

I don't have either of their email addresses here where I am. If you would like, I will put my hands on them and send it to you.

Ed ... Yes. Thank You ... I missed your evening at Steinert's, I apologize. Bill Shull pulled me to San Antonio TX to help document an 1858 Steinway Grand ... All original with the original Henry Jr. Action ... all original ... How could I resist ??

Thats ok, thanks Larry. Yes i did email Kent when i first had the initial action twist problem.
He replied wanting to know the serial number, so i sent him that but he never replied after that!
I'm sure he's very busy.

I'm just curious really as it seems to work alright anyway, it just looks weird!

Thanks very much again to everyone who responded, it's actually turning out to be a very nice piano despite all of it's quirks!

the height differnce I noticed was at the balance rail, (plus satck height) and the front rail was following, but it was a 2 mm range maximum between basses and high treble (with key leverage variation between basses and treble) . I dont recall on what models.

Regularely noticed a HC heigh varying (as WC) 1 mm +- not more.

When the keys have a progressive ration, the action position is lightly tweaked (1 mm range) so the "mid blow" is respected (a little later, as said Ed, the acceleration can lower after the beginning of friction moments for let off) ... we may imagine that none of the parts are rigid, that makes more difficult to visualize what happens, but it can be felt if you have a pianist hand)

But some actions are setup with no acceleration but the one on the shank (there the leverage varies much between rest and let off position)
The action at rest have the capstan whippen heel is located on the line of centers (I dont know the exact geometric terminology)


It is supposed to adsorb better the different friction moments (dampers, drop/let off) more progressive touch.

I am not a big fan of this setup, but I can understand the idea. I believe it is just a trend...

I'm up at Haverhill as we speak all this week for the WNG class as well. As expected the use of the action parts is being really well clarified and expanded upon. But, as usual, the informal unexpected chats among the techs Bruce and Kirk Burgett, today about things belly-wise, have been the unexpected traded gems.

Very enjoyable.

Jim Ialeggio