[CAUT] Erard piano

[Alan McCoy]

Hello,

I agree with others' assessment of this pithy statement, i.e. that it is one
of the best statements laying out the parameters for grand regulation. The
only thing I would add would be the parameters for setting key height: key
front at rest is below the top of the key slip, top of key button no higher
than the key pin, adequate key clearance of the fallboard, high enough for
proper key dip.

Alan

-- Alan McCoy, RPT
Eastern Washington University
amccoy at mail.ewu.edu
509-359-4627



> From: <A440A at aol.com>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Mon, 29 May 2006 14:20:52 -0400 (EDT)
> To: <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Erard piano
> 
> 
> << > My problem is that I cannot find an expert who will give me the
> correct > factory hammer blow distance and factory key depth, as well
> as damper > regulation.<<
> 
>     You can find the proper keydip by understanding that the sharps must not
> go farther than approx. 1 mm above the tops of the naturals when depressed,
> and they cannot be above 13 mm above the naturals when at rest. This is your
> range of keydip.  The hammers must not lie on the rest rail, nor be more than
> 5 
> mm above it.  This is your hammer range.  Let-off can be set at 1 mm
> throughout 
> the scale for a beginning specification.  You should then be able to find a
> comfortable set of specs that are tailored to the performers sense of touch by
> varying the amount of aftertouch. ie.  if you want to reduce the aftertouch to
> a minumum, (which will be the fastest action), lower your hammers or raise
> your keydip, or a little of both.  You may then want to set your let-off to
> just 
> below the lower excursion limit of the string when the string has been struck
> as firmly as the performer is likely to play it.  The drop should leave the
> hammer at exactly the same height as let-off. Springs should be as strong as
> possible without being felt in the key upon hammer release.
> The knuckle should be in contact with the top of the jack, but no more than
> that.  The distal edge of the jack should be even with the distal edge of the
> knuckle core. 
>      The dampers should begin to lift when the hammer is halfway to the
> string. 
>  
> Ed Foote RPT 
> http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
> www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
>