brightness of Steinways

[Newton Hunt]

> how can you precisely determine if it is the strings which are not
> aligned or if it is the hammer which is not square to the strings

First the action must be properly located in the case.  This is done
by working at the top of the middle section where the agraffes define
string location and the strings are perpendicular to the stretcher. 
Make certain the hammer shanks are perpendicular to the hammer flange
rail, the wippens are perpendicular to their flange rail and that they
are perfectly vertical and the shanks lie parallel to the wippens. 
Make certain the hammers are traveled, spaced and burned as best they
can be THEN you can adjust the action stop block so those hammers
align just nicely to their strings.

The shanks must be spaced and traveled so they go from rest to the
string in as perfectly a vertical line as possible.

The hammer has to be as perfectly vertical as it can be so the mass of
the hammer is centered over the center line of the shank.  If this is
not the case then by using heat the shank can be warped to make it so.

Then the strike point of the hammer must be filed perpendicular to the
sides of the hammer.

Then the strings can be leveled to match the hammers.  Then check the
shift position and make any compromises needed to make them both work
best.

Bear in mind that if this is done right and well it can take half a
day to make it right.  This is THE most time intensive process of
regulating an action.  It is also the foundation of the entire
regulation.  If it is not done properly the regulation will not follow
through well.

Space travel space burn space travel space burn space ... until all
your hair is gone.

This is the least fun but ultimately the most rewarding aspect of
regulation and voicing.

It is most interesting that doing this well will solve 99% of your
voicing problems.

Leveling strings is like pitch raising.  You lift, tune, lift, tune,
lift tune until your scalp has gone with your hair.  

Then you may need to do some final damper adjustments.

There is no end to this.  Is it any wonder that we are all nuts?

If you have specific questions about any operation and techniques just
write.

		Newton