Lightening the keyboard — Pianoconcerto Forum

Member

Posts: 2
City: Milano

April 4, 2020, 19:27

Good evening everyone. My name is Marco.

I hope I am not opening a discussion that has already been opened and resolved elsewhere, but I couldn't find any answers.

I am looking for a solution to a problem that is bothering me greatly.

After years spent traveling for work without a real piano, I purchased a Steinway V125 with a serial number dating back to 1983, sold to me as an almost new piano, never used, retrieved from a warehouse because it was unsold. Apparently, this is the case; the action and the hammers appear untouched, but I am not an expert.

I am having great difficulty with tuning, with strange harmonics generating with certain notes and difficulty in making the instrument's timbre homogeneous. The seller did not know how to help me or resolve the problem. Steinway, since I did not purchase from them, gave me the cold shoulder, and even pleading with them (and paying them!!) they did not provide assistance. Now I have resolved it, but I have to tune the instrument every 4/6 months... no comment.

However, I am writing to you regarding another problem.

The piano (I am noticing this especially now that I have resumed playing at full capacity and have recovered technically) has an extremely heavy keyboard. While on one hand I can achieve pianissimos that are unthinkable for an upright, in rapid and more demanding passages, it is a torment. Everyone (including professional pianists) who tries it confirms to me that the keyboard is too hard.

The comparison I made with a new K132 tried in a shop was merciless... a completely different keyboard. Very light.

The question is: are there systems to try to lighten the keyboard a bit without acting on the key weights?

Are there lubricant products to reduce the friction of the felts that hold the metal pin in the keys (I don't know if I expressed myself correctly 🤷‍♂️)?

Or is the only solution (I won't hide that it's what I am thinking about) to change it?

Do you have a way to recommend someone or perhaps a trusted technician in the Milan area (for better timing... obviously...)

Thank you for the time you will dedicate to me!

noname

Member

Posts: 100
City: Eboli

April 4, 2020, 22:21

Hi Marco, surely Paolo will indicate the best solution to the problem. If my experience can be of use, I can tell you that after years of attempts I discovered that a good regulation can completely change the situation, including the heaviness of the keyboard.

pianoexpert

Moderator

Posts: 3,876
City: rocca di papa

April 4, 2020, 22:58

Steinway uprights are wonderful and it is worth making them work and sound perfectly! Congratulations, you own a great instrument!

Regarding the tuning, it is difficult to intervene (one must check the condition of the pin holding regardless) and the timbral discontinuities (already characteristic in Steinway regarding sound progression) certainly depend on a lack of regulation or poor final regulation (the general one - called pre-regulation - is done by the Factory).

What kklaus says about regulation is already correct, but you must verify the efficiency status of the action! How? Disassemble a hammer and a wippen (perhaps more than one as a sample in different registers of the keyboard) and check if the pins of the hammer rails and the escapement upright are tight. Keep in mind that when one does not have the special tool that measures friction, the hammer rails and the wippen must fall smoothly under their own weight (3-5 gr.) and the escapement upright, once released from the clip, must fall on its own under its own weight (1-2 gr.).

If this is not the case, the action pins must be replaced. There is no other solution! It is probable that the instrument has been inefficient for a long time and/or in a place with very high relative humidity. ABSOLUTELY NO WEIGHTING OR LUBRICANTS!!!!!!!. Check anyway that the keyboard slides smoothly on its center and front bushings and that it hasn't been weighted at the back (after the fulcrum) except perhaps on the last two treble keys. Sometimes someone thinks they can weight the keyboard to make it more "workable" technically: nothing is further from common sense!

The replacement of pins on a Steinway is a very delicate matter and must be carried out according to a particular procedure, finally verifying with the special tool.

In the meantime, perform this check and let me know. For now, NO WEIGHTING OR LUBRICANTS (never lubricants unless a little Teflon micro-powder, which facilitates and helps movement, but does not "solve" impediments).

I await news

Ciao Paolo

Marcomxf

Member

Posts: 2
City: Milano

April 4, 2020, 23:34

Thank you Paolo for your response. I had already sensed your expertise while reading other discussions.

unfortunately, I am struggling to understand what you are writing to me. I will look for information and photos online to understand which test you suggest I perform.

I can disassemble all the parts of the piano without problems, but I have never touched the Renner action out of fear.

I have no problem handling micro screws and screwdrivers, but usually, I do it by profession on human beings and not on the Piano?. I am struggling to understand which parts you are referring to.

As additional data to understand what might have happened, I will add that, despite an action that appears untouched at first glance, the case had cracks in the black lacquer, even conspicuous ones in several places... something strange (I have a Schimmel that I love, contemporary, on which I have studied my whole life and which has no problems with the case lacquer).

i imagine and understand that this forum does not have commercial purposes, but if you can point me to someone who can help me in Milan, I would be very grateful, even via private email at marcomxf@gmail.com.

thank you truly for your attention!