Steinway 1941 Grand Model L - Replace Verdigris Action Parts with New Action
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| Between around the early 1900's up into the 1940's Steinway
treated their wooden action parts with some kind of paraffin / tallow solution
with the theory that the parts would be less brittle over long periods of
time.
Unfortunately, these parts, over a long period of time, leach out the paraffin/tallow mixture and corrupt the action hinge center which is a felt bushing that surrounds a brass pin. Thus, you have a Steinway "Verdigris" Action which is unplayable in the extreme, and barely playable in all other respects. The only way to fix this is to replace the action parts. You might see references to less costly remedies and they might make the piano playable for a short while but the condition will ALWAYS return. |
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The green indicates Verdigris and it is like sludge. The piano action hinge does not work correctly and never will. The Green Verdigris at the lower left arrow is a little harder to see but it is there! |
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The Piano Hammers, that strike the strings (white and grey) should return to the down position and the keys should return to the up position. Obviously, this action is unplayable. If anyone suggests that this can be fixed without replacing the action parts, you can be assured that it will be temporary at best. 3 months to a few years if a corrective treatment works at all. |
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Normally, the piano hammer should fall to a vertical down position. In this case it is just staying where it is. The hinge is just to tight due to the Verdigris condition. |
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Another image of the Verdigris "Green Sludge" in the hammer and flange hinge. Also called the Hammer Flange Action Center. |
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Another image of Verdigris corrupted Hammer Flange Centers. |
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The other main grand action assembly is called the "Whippen". While not as bad, these "Flange Centers" (hinges) are also corrupted with this Verdigris condition |
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In this image, the arrow indicates the brass rail that mounts the Hammers, Shankes, and Hammer Flanges. As you can see, it is covered with green, "Verdigris" sludge. |
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A closer image of the Hammer Rail covered with Verdigris sludge. |
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This is an image of the other action rail that mount the Whippens. While not nearly as bad, the Verdigris sludge is developing in this action rail as well. |
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This image shows the hammer and whippen action rails after being cleaned and all traces of Verdigris sludge removed. |
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The action in the process of having the new action parts installed. In this case we are using Genuine New York Steinway Parts for replacement. |
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The new action parts have been installed and the action is now ready for its preliminary "Regulation". That is, adjusting all the parts so that they perform to factory specifications. |
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The preliminary action regulation has been perfomed with some tuning, and some "playing in" of the piano, and then some regulation touchup. |
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Now it is time to measure the Key Weighting. Down Weight, Up Weight, and calculating Friction and making necessary Friction adjustments as needed. |
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Another image or measuring key weighting with calibrated gram weights. |
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Now we are removing key leads by drilling them out with a forstner bit to balance the key weighting. |
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Another image of removed key lead. The one on the far left is the next key lead to be removed. |
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More Soon... |
Image coming soon... |
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More Soon... |
Image coming soon... |
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More Soon... |
Image coming soon... |
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More Soon... |
Image coming soon... |
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