Steinway action response??!

[pianowelsh]

Steinway action - ok I was checking out their website reccently and it said some bizare claim about their actin being upto 14% more responsive in a particular dynamic.. my question is - how do they measure more responsive and what is this compared to??? it was unbelieveably vague andI suspect quite misleading.  I have played on tons of Steinways many of which could be said to be anything BUT responsive no matter what dynmaic your at....just what do they mean? and have they done something revolutionary to their action??

[numerian]

I assume they are talking about their Accelerated Action, which is patented.  But I couldn't find the reference to 14% better response on their website.  Could you link please to the actual page?

[invictious]

I tried a Steinway and Sons in a piano showroom (Lucky me), and some Bosendorfers, some Kawais and Yammies.

I tried the last three, they all feel what a grand piano should feel like, except Kawai, I just don't like their sound and touch, not my type.

I find the Steinway much more responsive, contrary to what you think. Even when playing at pppp, the action wasn't sluggish, and did not have that obvious 'two stage press down' action.

I wish I could have one

[iumonito]

I wish I could sell you one.  With what you would pay me I would turn around and buy three good pianos.

[jlh]

I assume they are talking about their Accelerated Action, which is patented.  But I couldn't find the reference to 14% better response on their website.  Could you link please to the actual page?

Here's one link:
https://www.steinway.com/steinway/specs/model_l.shtml

"Action
...Specially designed to respond 14% faster fortissimo & 6% faster pianissimo by using an exclusive combination of half-round balance rail bearings and strategically placed key leads."

[counterpoint]

designed to respond 14% faster fortissimo & 6% faster pianissimo

I would translate this to

designed to respond slightly faster fortissimo & scarcely noticeable pianissimo

[numerian]

The image I get is that they hooked up a machine to the keyboard that can pound out chords or notes at different pressures.  They measure the ff and pp settings before and after the action refinements, and come up with the 14% and 6% faster speeds. 

This method or some other such test would be necessary to calculate the change with such mathematical precision.

I suppose there would be some circumstances where a pianist would care about this, but it is a rather esoteric matter to brag about.

[pianowelsh]

But is it actually any better than other leading pianos or is that statistic in reference to their own instruments (ie new improved?). As Ive said perhaps if you play a top niche showroom model tuned and voiced to perfection you notice it - a typical semi neglected one in a college or local concert hall and you wouldnt know it from a yamaha as far as im concerned...Inccidentally I think Yamaha are on the up with their custom built series..definately challenging the old traditional manufacturers!

[pianistimo]

i've held a steinway hammershank in my hand.  a priceless experience.  and, i hear that they don't allow any sort of friction to happen between wood and metal.  so you get a clean sound.  as far as this 'new action' - it's probably just that they are experimenting with the second part of the double escapement even more.  honing it - so that noone can say 'the piano made me do it.'  that you have control and yet at the same time don't feel that the piano is unwieldy.  perhaps it lets you play the 'pianissimo' dynamic without playing it too fast - and oppositely the 'forte' - slowing it just slightly down.  i don't really know.  just speculating.

[richard black]

i hear that they don't allow any sort of friction to happen between wood and metal.

I should hope not! All decent pianos ever made, pretty much, use bushings to ensure that there is no sliding metal-to-wood contact.

[semy]

Hey,

Check www.pianomall.nl/piano/piano.php . They know a lot about Steinway. You can send them a question by mail (in English)

Good luck

[jinfiesto]

Steinway's are the best... No ifs ands or buts. hahahaha. the whole manufacturing process is different.

[gerry]

Dear God, is this going to turn into another "what's the best piano" threads