Shigeru Kawai regulation

[Kevin E. Ramsey]

    Dan, Think about it. What happens if the rep lever contacts the drop
screw too soon? Then the jack continues to lift the knuckle further up all
by its self, resulting in a draggy feeling at the end of the key stroke. I
prefer to have the jack hit the letoff button at the same time as the rep
lever hits the drop screw. Gives the pianist a better feel, and results in a
rather short drop.
    I don't care how they do it in Japan, I do it the way that seems right
and makes the most sense to me.
    ( I also have been the in-house tech for a Shigeru dealer.)
    Those Japanese techs are good though, gotta give 'em that,
anal-retentive as heck, and good.


----- Original Message -----
From: "thepianoarts" <thepianoarts@home.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 9:36 PM
Subject: Shigeru Kawai regulation


>
>     The technicians in the Dallas/ Ft.Worth Texas part of the world were
> treated to a technical this past week, on the refinments of the Shigeru
> Kawai, their preimer piano line. The technician who follows a particular
> instrument through the facory, also goes to the new owners home to service
> it. I guess that is a one time deal, since all the techs are coming from
> Japan. Very impressive. Any other manufactures doing that? I love it when
> someone raises the bar.
>
>     There are a couple of regulation differences that are interesting.
>  #1-Drop is set slightly early, and #2- jack height to rep lever height is
>  set so that there is no winking. The distance (jack height to rep lever
> top) is subtle, so as not to cause a hammer line wave.
>     I beleive the reasoning for the earlier than usual drop, is that there
> is a smoother feel if drop and let-off are spaced slightly.
>      Also, I beleive their thinking is, an earlier drop allows a safety
net
>  which insures a positive 'scrape' or contact by the jack, which would be
>  reduced if the drop timing is later that the let-off timing. In other
> words, let the jack do it's job of lifting the hammer. Keep the spring
> loaded rep lever out of the picture.
>
>  Dan
>
>