Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Front Duplex Steinway "A"

I have not used the WNG system yet. I have looked at them at PTG conferences.

I like the idea and plan on utilizing the system once the need arises.

Have fun with your Steinway restoration.

Steinway has a records room filled with info on manufacturing specifications. Books and books of it. I'm sure it would be mentioned somewhere in them.

1. There are 6 sections that make up the duplex. Two screws per section to fasten them to the plate.

2. They are numbered 1 to 6 left to right. Not sure what the "B" is for.

We had a PTG meeting tonight and those that make a comment agree on my thought of it being for duplex noise suppression. Helping in that sometimes annoying buzz you get on some models.

I guess once its strung I'll hear if it has any issues. [/quote]


Rod, I believe the A,B markings indicate the models the particular cast can be used in. IOWs, it could work in a model "B" as well.

I doubt it will help with noise suppression, even if it was originally intended to do so. I have found it more effective to move those cast pieces as close as possible to the capo in order to shorten the length of the wire section as well as to increase the termination angle. I usually toss them into the bin and install a piece of brass bar of appropriate height.

The front duplex section allows noise and reduces efficiency. It isn't truly tunable either. In my way of thinking it's better to staunch the energy leak than to use a poor design because it was there originally.

I have seen brass rods in place of the front duplex a few times. One rebuilder here in town once ground off the cast duplex in a 1960's "D" and installed brass bars. A few years later the piano was sent back to Steinway for a new plate.

I like some duplex leak. I find if I fully block the duplex noise, it makes the sound of the treble a bit sterile.

Not attempting to disagree with you but finding that fine line sometimes is a bit difficult.

If I don't modify the duplex the owner can't blame me for screwing it up. If they like the end result then your a hero. If they don't, all fingers point to the rebuilders modifications and not to the design of a finley design but not always perfected piano.