David - Hi. Don't know if someone has already iterated the following: The issue of 'somewhat' higher friction pinning of the rep lever is, as I have understood it, a way of increasing the speed and certainty of the jack return under the knuckle. Apart from that, I assume that, within some range, it's easier to regulate springs with moderate friction than near zero. The same weight hammer with a 16mm knuckle will have significantly more knuckle friction than at 17mm. And then there's the leather. There have been so many permutations of knuckle covering (or none) that display different sliding friction characteristics, both forward and return. This has, I think, a lot to do with the difficulty of pianissimo. David Skolnik At 05:03 PM 12/2/2010, you wrote: > David Stanwood wrote: > >Hi Fred, > >I especially value your comments because you are also a serious pianist. >The issue of the effect of strong rep springs on the quality of aftertouch >and pianissimo control is relevant in respect to this conversation. If >the pinning of the rep lever is increased to allow the spring to work >harder and more in it's range, we might see that we can more easily >regulate the rep lever under the jack but there may be a negative effect >on pianissimo control by the increase pressure that the pianists needs to >overcome while engaging the drop screw at the end of the stroke. I think >I've been alluding to the possibility that a rep lever with very low friction >can be regulated just fine IF the hammer weight and the spring dimension >is well matched. > >Regards, > >David
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