Scattering, good term. I agree with that but don't like to touch the SW curve preferring to split the difference between FW and BW using the trendline function on the FW curve. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: Ed Foote <a440a at aol.com> Sender: caut-bounces at ptg.org Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 12:45:00 To: <caut at ptg.org> Reply-To: caut at ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] F..riction David writes: >> A smooth FW curve and smooth SW curve in which the BW is allowed to float can easily produce irregularities of a couple of grams. What is more perceptible, BW differences or FW weight differences that result in differences in inertia? Rhetorical question really as I think it's pretty difficult to answer but one may find oneself in the position of having to make the choice or compromise both a little bit. In reality, it may be much ado about nothing. << I think by "scattering" the irregularities around, they disappear. So, I begin with a smooth FW and SW, coupled by samples through the 88 keys to arrive at values for both that keep me within bounds of the BW I am looking for. Upon assembly, I always find that there are some notes that simply don't fall into line with the DW, so for those that are too heavy(DW), I touch off a little bit of the hammer(belt sander on the sides), and for those that are too light, I use a 1/4" drill to remove a bit of lead from the most proximal keylead. This leaves me with near perfect DW and pianists have always felt that the actions done like this are extremely even. I also scatter the regulation to create exactly even aftertouch. This is done by allowing keydip to vary by .010" and also raising or lowering the hammer by as much as a mm or so. I keep the let-off and drop as consistent as I can possibly set it. I also use much softer springing than any of the factory actions I see. This approach is difficult to use on a production line, but put together generally puts the pianists totally at ease with the control. I, and my ears, are getting older. I don't voice as well as I used to, but a really killer regulation will make up for some of that. Mischa Dicter (sp?) once remarked about my action that "There is a little bit of voicing irregularity there in the fifth octave, but with an action like that it is no problem". ( He actually believed it was a specially prepared piano that had been sent from Atlanta, and at first said that "Ron really did a great job on that one!) Regards, Regards, Ed Foote
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