David, Adjusting the springs on the bench so that the wippens are just suspended is a sensible approach. The 18 grams of WippenWt translates through a 0.5 key ratio to 9 grams at the front of the key. In other words when you set up this way your springs are all going to be working around 9 grams. This is how Hamburg Steinway adjusted their springs and it the best factory application of springs that I have seen. I would still weigh off the hammers first to a weight that is compatable to the ratio, then weigh off the keys with the springs disengaged to balance weight that is 9 grams above what I want with the springs engaged. (44 grams BW springs off) Then engage the springs to achieve a final balance weight. This would make for a 35 gram balanceWt with springs engaged for classic Steinway balancing. In this situation you would use light or medium springs 0.55mm 0r 0.6mm) for springs working above 13 grams I would go to a heavy spring (0.7mm) These are the three sizes made by Renner. David >David: > >The average weight of a wippen when supported by the flange is about 18 >grams. Would it not be feasible to adjust the wippen springs (with the >hammers up and out of the way) so that the wippen weight is just >neutralized (suspended)? > >dave > >_______________________________________ >David M. Porritt, RPT >Meadows School of the Arts >Southern Methodist University >Dallas, TX 75275 >______________________________
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