I'm with you David. I've never set dip with a block - or anything else at all. Dip is what is left over after setting your blow distance, let-off and then after-touch just as you do. I use a punching like you do - and I also have a go/no-go stick of maple with slots cut in each end - one end I think is 0.025" and the other is 0.040".
So if one sets dip uniformly where is the give? After-touch (I hope not!)? Let off? Blow? Seems to me dip is the place to direct the little bit of slop inherent in all actions.
Terry Farrell
----- Original Message -----
I don't use a gauge of any type for setting dip but rather set it using a punching the thickness of the desired aftertouch. Cut out a slot in a card stock punching that is the thickness of the desired amount of aftertouch. I use .030". The punching can then be inserted and removed with a pair of tweezers easily. Move it from key to key as you build up the front rail punching until the key when depressed with uniform touch just barely lets off. Use a weight do depress the key is you choose. The piano must be precisely regulated first, of course, so that your desired amount of dip is coordinated with the blow distance but that insures uniform aftertouch which is really the most important part of the dip setting anyway. Best done with the action in the piano unless you can duplicate the bedding on the bench.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
Ok, true confessions. I've never set key dip with a dip block.
.
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