Grand Touch

[David C. Stanwood]

Dear Mark and all,

I've been holding back on mentioning this but your comment about "new
components" prompted me to respond.  I've fixed a number of Samick's and
other pianos of that type by precision balancing of the weight and leverage
components.  That's my specialty.  The key operation though is adjusting
leverage by moving the capstan line using a technique for acheiving a
precise Strike Weight Ratio specification.  Sometimes this means slicing
off the heels and relocating new ones further out on the wippen with the
capstan further in towards the balance rail.  Sometimes we just angle the
capstan and relocate it so that it contacts the front of the heel.  The
change in the dynamic feel is dramatic.  We all tend to assume that action
leverage is 1:5 in pianos but actually it can be anywhere from 1:4.5 to
1:8.5.  It's a big variable and it's often overlooked for lack of knowledge
on the subject.  Here in the States there is developing a new class of
piano technician with specialized skills surrounding these kind of procedures.

What I mean to say is that it's not so much the parts, it's the
configuration of weight and leverage of the parts.  Samicks can feel as
good as a Hamburg Steinway if configured properly.  If we are not
knowledgeable about this we should bring the action to a specialist or
learn these skills ourselves.

David Stanwood
http://www.tiac.net/users/stanwood/

>Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1999 14:25:30 +1100
>From: "Mark Bolsius" <markbolsius@optusnet.com.au>

>I agree with Stan's suggestions regarding friction, and Jon's 3 part
>approach is also worth following. Unfortunately, Samick's action geometry i=
>s
>not conducive to light touch as Roger has well pointed out, and that is an
>expensive fix...new components, time etc
>Cheers
>Mark Bolsius