My only issue with springs is that people tend to set them with too much tension. While springs do a lot for cutting off the sound quickly and efficiently there is a price to pay. That price is the differential in the touch dynamics with the pedal engaged and without. When you consider that the touchweight is only 50 grams or so then adding another 32 grams midway through the keystroke is of consequence. While you can't, obviously, eliminate a change in touch dynamics when the damper engages entirely, I like that feeling to be minimized as much as possible. I think Renner guidelines of 32 grams at #1 are too high and I prefer to set it lower than that and prefer that they gradually reduce to where they are no longer needed by the time you reach the capo section. I've not come up with a specific number to target but will say that I like the spring to do minimal work, mainly enough to keep the damper from bouncing around. I prefer to get good shut off by concentrating more on the proper positioning and configuration of the dampers themselves rather than just adding more tension. I think it makes for a better feeling action overall and prefer to compromise in that direction over instant and totally dead shutoff. The goal for me is simply uniformity in shutoff-a challenge under the best of circumstances. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of DCyr141833 at aol.com Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 7:11 AM To: caut at ptg.org Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway dampers: The aftermath Renner & Tokiwa damper underlever kits come with underlever springs, and instructions for installing them. It's a little tougher if you're not replacing the complete back-action, but you can retro-fit an underlever system that doesn't have springs, to one that has springs, by adding little felt blocks on the arm of the underlever. Once springs are installed it is very easy to weigh-off the underlevers, adjusting the spring at the coil to either make the spring tension heavier or lighter. I've been doing this for years, and assume you all know what I mean. Weight is taken with a Corex tension gauge, needle positioned at the front end of the underlever. Weight goes from around 32 grams at #1 and tapers to the end of the spring section, matching the 1st underlever without a spring. The Renner kit instructions come with the Chris Robinson instructions that have the gram weight specs on the back page. They don't, however, show how to manipulate the spring at the coil to get these spring tensions. I've got photos somewhere, if anyone want to know. I am a BIG fan of springs on underlevers, and disagree totally with Steinway's line of not needing springs on underlevers, and that it is part of the Steinway sound. Sometimes the best sound is no sound! Debbie Cyr Registered Piano Technician 508-202-2862 cell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091126/1ed4afcb/attachment-0001.htm>
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