Weighty Problem

[Newton Hunt]

Dear List,

Mr. Bill Bremmer RPT, Madison, Wisconsin, advocates changing the
leverage of the action by changing the contact point of the capstans on
the rocker cushion.  This is a procedure that is advocated by Jack Wyatt
of Dallas.

I must, most emphatically disagree with Wyatt's jprocedure because it
changes not the leverage of the action but changes it's geometry.  If
you bend the support posts toward the strings or away from the strings
you change the verticality of the action thus impairing it's ability to
repeat which is the one thing you do not want to do for a serious
musician.

Most vertical actions lack mass compared to a grand piano and there are
two ways to change this.  Place key weights in the keys, front AND back
to increase the mass of the key to that of a grand key and adjust their
location to increase the AVERAGE of the up and down weights to from 35
to 39 grams.  One or two small grand damper lever weights can be
installed into the rockers of the wippens to increase the weight and
repitition of the action.

A third method is to install some hammer butt or damper repair springs
on a rail that can be rotated and locked into position so that the
spring dears on the tops of the rear of the keys.  On the U! they can be
installed just under the fall board next to the key stop rail.

There was a system offered by Dennis Kirk that made the hammer spring
rail adjustable in the same manner, but since Yamahas do not have hammer
spring rails this may be a difficult install.

Yamaha has very carefully designed their action for fastest possible
repitition by carefully establishing a relationship between the wippen
center pin, the capstan and the key pivot point.  The relationship
between the hammer shank and the strings, and the relationship between
the jack and the contour of the butt are surpemely critical to the
function of the action.  Jack Wyatt's procedure compromises these
relationships to the detriment of the action and the performer.

Increasing the mass of the keys and the action is a superior approach to
getting a grand feel than compromising the action.

Weights should be installed just like they are in grand keys, through
the key.  Weights can be removed when needed.  Jiffy leads can be used,
but I like to install them from the underside of the key.  I use #4x1/2
flat head sheet metal screws for which you do not need to drill a hole
like you do for the wood screws supplier with the jiffy leads.  Using
jiffy leads makes it difficult to control the balance weight of the keys
because there is limited space available to move them around.

	Newton
	nhunt@jagat.com