This is in sympathetic response to the June posting of Mr. Andy Raymond
concerning short keys on his Steinway Duo-Art [170612 MMD].  I too have
had the embarrassment of having visiting concert pianists complain
loudly about the short keys, both naturals and sharps on my 1923 Model
"O" Steinway Duo-Art. The naturals are 5-3/8" and the sharps are 3-3/8"
(even less if measured from the fallboard to the top edge before the
angle downwards).

My 1923 Knabe Ampico has a full-size keyboard where the naturals are
5-11/16" and the sharps are 3-3/4".  The difference is almost 1/2" for
both and is extremely noticeable.

My Steinway fallboard is full of fingernail nicks!  Is this serious
design defect true of all Steinway Duo-Art pianos?  Is it limited to
certain years of production or size of instrument?  I have never heard
a good explanation for this or the extent of this problem.

Roy Powlan
Orinda, California

 [ Perhaps the instrument was "optimised" for the Duo-Art system
 [ (at the expense of the live performer).  In other words, the
 [ keyboard is primarily to aid tuning!  ;-)  -- Robbie