Regulate by feel (was : Bechstein grand spread dimension)

[David Andersen]

>While we are on that subject, do you regulate let off by feel also, or 
>with a gauge ?

When I regulate let-off in a grand piano I see often, I regulate as much 
by feel as by sound.  I turn the let-off up until I can feel the hammer b 
a r e l y  brushing the string, then turn it back slightly and listen as 
I press the key again slowly but with a certain pressure, and listen to 
the strength of the sound of the slightly struck note.  I set the letoff 
based on the sound---an often-visited, performance type piano:
more strength of sound (closer to the string); a piano regulated less 
frequently: much fainter sound.
Sometimes I use a hand-held mirror afterwards to check the let-off 
visually, for evenness. If I've paid attention to my ears and touch, the 
job is also visually even.

Thanks for your interest.  Isaac has sent you a beautiful post about 
regulation; I learned a lot from it; I need to pay more attention to 
bedding the key frame.  Thanks a lot, Isaac.

David Andersen