[pianotech] Stiff WNG?

[Joseph Garrett]

Del said: "Other than that I
can't imagine a WN&G action feeing "stiff." 
 
 
I'm also curious; what is it that is going to be so difficult to service
down the road? And what is it that is going to need all that servicing?"

Del,
Perhaps I used the wrong word. Stiff is not exactly what I meant. I have
done a side by side of two M&H, one with wood parts and one with the WN&G
parts. The first thing I noted, was a harder, (probably still not the right
word<G>), feel. (my "feel" was similar to the "feel" that I got when
comparing the hard front rail punchings to the soft ones.) 
The main thing I noticed was a marked difference in tone. Of course, this
was one instance where, supposedly the two pianos were the same, except for
the actions. I know that no two pianos, even of the same manufacture and
model, are "the same". The tone on the wood action piano was "warmer" to my
perception.
As for future servicing? My first thought would be in the repacement of
hammers. I can envision major screwups involved in that process. Why? The
use of CA type glues would be my first suspected problem area. IF, the
hammer to shank joint were to fail, in the field...what would be used to
fix it, thinking what the average tech carries with him/her. Wood can be
glued back together, if broken. I'm not seeing that possibility with the
carbon fiber stuff. Probably, I'm not thinking it completely through, or
just not understanding the technology thoroughly.<G> Let's face it, we see
all kinds of damage to our beloved pianos that defies our comprehension.
I'm trying to envision repairs of these actions, in that context. 
Your testimony of the abuse that the action models have taken is certainly
something to think about. Under those circumstances, they'd have to be
"bullet proof", to be sure!<G>
Regards,
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I