Sharp key dip/height

[David Love]

Setting the sharp key height to 12.5 mm (1/2") generally works well for me.
However, there are times when the regulation specs might dictate or allow a
deviation from this.  Personally, I prefer the sharps as low as possible as
long as there is adequate height above the naturals when fully depressed
(2mm).  Lower sharps feel more secure and it's easier to get your fingers
between them when playing if they are lower.  Thus, the regulation
requirements can have an effect on how high you set them.  On a high
leverage piano where the dip tends to be less you can set the sharps lower
as long as you have 2 mm clearance above the naturals when fully depressed.
On a piano in which the dip requirements are greater, the sharps will have
to be set proportionately higher.   Since we see pianos whose action ratios
vary from the low 5's to the high 6's, and dip specs that often vary with
those differences, it makes more sense to adjust the sharp height
accordingly.  What you really want to avoid is the sharps burying below the
naturals when fully depressed. 

David Love
davidlovepianos@earthlink.net


> [Original Message]
> From: Alan <tune4u@earthlink.net>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 7/10/2003 8:39:16 AM
> Subject: RE: Sharp key dip/height
>
> The US "standard," or at least most common, sharps height has been 1/2
> inch for a very long time. If my math skills serve, that's about 12.7
> mm. 
>
> This is a little higher than some of the European & Asian factory specs,
> but still a comfortable height for most people to play.
>
> In any event, on American pianos, especially older ones, 1/2" or 13 mm
> (rounded) seems like the best and most natural place to start in any
> regulation. 12.5 mm might be better but my half-millimeter ruler is
> broken.
>
> Alan R. Barnard
> Salem, MO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
> Behalf Of Richard Brekne
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 5:30 AM
> To: Pianotech
> Subject: Re: Sharp key dip/height
>
> 14 mm above the white keys at rest is quite the climb upwards. Lots of
> techs seem to gawk at 12 mm which usually leaves the depressed black 2
> mm
> higher then a neighboring white key at rest.
>
> If the specification you ask for exists, then no doubt like all piano
> specifications it is viewed as a rather general rule of thumbs.
> Personally,
> I like at least 0.5 mm, but I dont like to allow the blacks to get more
> then 12 mm over the whites when all is a rest.
>
> This range allows for plenty of freedom relative to aftertouch and other
> regulation concerns as well
>
> RicB
>
>
> James Perkins wrote:
>
> > Is there a recommended height above the white keys for black keys when
> > they are depressed?  In other words should they be say 14 mm above the
> > white keys with a 10mm dip to about 4mm in the down position?  Or is
> it
> > 'piano specific'?
> >
> > I would appreciate your comments.
> >
> > James Perkins
> > 42 Marlee Road
> > Parklands
> > WA 6210
> > Australia
> >
> > 08 9581 6354
> > Mobile 0401674447
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
> --
> Richard Brekne
> RPT, N.P.T.F.
> UiB, Bergen, Norway
> mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no
> http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html
> http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html
>
>
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