I won't repeat details as to the decision to install the Renner "assisted-repetions," other than to say the symptoms and application were "textbook." In the archives you will recall how surplus lead was removed from the keyboard in advance, leaving only two in the bass, and one in the tenor, per key. Once the wippens were installed (springs engaged) it became apparent that at least one lead-per-key would have to be re-patriated, to keep the spring tensions within an adjustable range. The M.O. then was to tension the springs (holding the short arm in it's slot with a small brass rod, and adjusting the long arm, thanks: Hans Sanders, RPT) first, then trial-fit the lead. As nearly all tenor keys had six leads prior to the weigh-off, it was easy to find an existing hole for the trim leads. The piano plays very nicely, I have the hammers quite mellow, and no-one (even the students) have pains in the wrists from playing at forte level. I could bore you further with superlatives (it is truly a fine piano), but the most honest report I can give is that it now plays very much the same as our non-geometrically challenged Steinways, and only you and I know the voodoo this particular piano required to achieve this! :>) Oh yeah, there are still five or six pounds of surplus lead from this action I intend to showcase in the Prof's studio, in a "can you guess how many jelly-beans" kind of jar. This is good medicine for the days when you get a voice mail thanking you for the "wonderful tuning" that you actually hadn't gotten around to doing yet! :>) best regards to all, Mark Cramer, Brandon University
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