Aftertouch Question

[Dan & Martha Reed]

Terry,

I like to regulate with a close let-off and minimum drop also. It makes for
a wide dynamic range, and fast repeating. Two additional specs to
consider...  If the rep lever pinning is too light, the sprung lever will
dump all of its energy too quickly. This symptom you are describing, can
force one to lower the spring tension, but still have to put up with a jumpy
hammer. This problem you are describing is especially noticable when
regulating old worn actions. Chech the resistance of the rep lever pinnng,
and try pinning one lever a little tighter to compare. You wil then be able
to dial up the spring tension, but get a slower but stronger transfer of
energy. This trick I learned from Craig Waldrop, who has lots of experience
with S&$ regulation.
Please let me know what your result was.

Thanks,

Dan Reed
Richardson, Texas

thepianoarts@home.com
---------
>From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Subject: Aftertouch Question
>Date: Thu, May 25, 2000, 9:02 PM
>

> OK grand regulation techies, here you go! Two related questions about
> checking and aftertouch.
>
> I just did a full regulation on my Boston GP178 (5' 10" grand). I set blow
> dist. @ 1-3/4", let-off as close as possible (about 1/32"), and drop (as
> recommended by Steinway) as short as possible - about 1/16" or maybe a tad
> more - but less than 1/8". I have my checking up nice and high - about 3/8"
> over the treble & up, about 7/16" in tenor, and about 1/2" in bass. Key dip
> is about 0.45".
>
> Out of the piano, all hammers check on even the softest blow (I roughed-up
> the tails a tad). When I put the piano in the instrument, I often get a few
> hammers that will not check on a light blow. And of course, because I have
> the let-off so close and drop so little, the hammer rises up and
> blocks/bobbles on the string when pressing the key through aftertouch.
>
> Question #1: Should ALL hammers ALWAYS go into check, even on a very, very
> LIGHT BLOW?
>
> If answer to Question #1 is yes, then Question #2 is: Why do all hammers
> check out of the piano but not when action is in piano (keep in mind, I am
> talking about very soft blows).
>
> If answer to Question #1 is no, then Question #2 is: If it is normal for
> hammers to occassionally not check on a very soft blow, when let-off and
> drop are real small, is it really feasable to make aftertouch the necessary
> 10 thousandths of an inch (or there abouts - perhaps even less). Because if
> aftertouch is any greater, the hammer will simply rise up into the string
> and mute it in a very nasty manner. I like alot of aftertouch - generally in
> the ballpark of 50 thousandths or so. I can't do that unless I am sure that
> all hammers will check every time a key is struck - even when struck VERY
> LIGHTLY.
>
> Any good input for me?
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
>