Hi MMD'rs

Some time ago I posted a note regarding the cross valves on my 1922
Steinway Model O Duo Art.

For those of you that did not read it, I was having trouble with the
valves leaking, the more notes in a chord the greater the loss of
vacuum and four hand arrangements did not stand a chance.

I had tried replacing the leather and re-setting the gap (twice!), but
with no success. So I turned to the MMD for help. The response was huge
and I am grateful for the people who took the time and trouble to reply
with their comments and experiences.

But this is where the trouble started. The experts views were split with
1/2 of them saying cross valves never work because they bend very easily
and once bent they will not make a seal (is that why Aeolian changed the
design ?) and that I should stop messing around with them and replace
them with the round ones.

The other 1/2 were saying that cross valves were the best thing since
sliced bread and that I should persevere. Each camp had an equally
convincing argument as to why their views were right.

It turns out that the cross valves installed into British Duo Art
actions are made of brass (plated) where the American ones are zinc and
the latter being prone to bending. Which would explain why so many
British contributors were saying "stick with em they don't bend".- My
piano had brass valves and these were not bent

A couple of people said that if the piano had been damp the, wooden
'dolly' may have distorted and the face could be convex. But with the
valve removed and offered to a surface plate they were quite flat.
However, when the leather was replaced over the spindle a very small
rise was noticed at the centre.

It turned out that the hole in the leather was just a little too small,
causing a tiny ruck in the middle of the valve face and when the pouch
raised the valve to the valve plate it was not quite sealing. A 15+ note
chord must have lost inches of vacuum, which would also explain why some
solo rolls played well and the four hand ones would not. It seems
obvious now, but it just wasn't noticed.

To be on the safe side the lower valve seats were sealed. Pouches,
facings and gaskets were replaced and finally the gaps reset.

The piano is now back in one piece and now plays brilliantly and
expresses very well and I'm looking forward to showing it off at our
next Player Piano Group Social (October 16th).

Thank you to everyone who gave help and advice to bring the piano back
to life.

Regards

Steve Greatrex
Plymouth (UK)

steve@polvellan.freeserve.co.uk.geentroep [ drop .geentroep to reply ]