traveling/traveling/ traveling?

[JIMRPT@AOL.COM]

Interesting takes on this traveling thread................

There are a few mutable truths which should be kept in mind vis a vis shank 
traveling:

a.) Exigencies of mass manufacturing should not be confused with  technically 
superior methodologies.
b.) "Burning in" is only a 'substitute' for a well traveled shank and/or a 
well placed hammer.
c.) There is no superior method to having a well traveled shank 'before' 
hammers are installed.

 When addressing a badly aligned new hammer on a new shank it is better to 
make any corrections at the shank/hammer interface than to "burn in the 
shank". Of course any 'small' corrections can be accomplished by "burning in 
the shank".  
 When you order pre hung hammers you should be prepared to do a small amount 
of regluing in order to keep your "burning in" at a minimum. Thankfully there 
are suppliers today who each do a marvelously correct job of 'prehanging' 
hammers and the ones who do a good job of prehanging also supply the better 
quality shanks............does this mean that there will be 'no traveling' 
required?......... no absolutely not, but there will be a minimum of 
traveling to do and this traveling should be done before any decision is made 
to either "burn in the shank" or release the hammer and reglue it in the 
'new' proper position.

 My order of priorities run:
a.) travel all shanks prior to hammer installation.
b.) travel all shanks on 'prehung' sets and realign hammers via the hammer 
release method.
c.) save "burn in" for very minor touch-up of alignment.

 While "burn in is last in my prference it is still a very viable option in 
those cases where time/cost is paramount such as in concert situations where 
time is limited and in those cases where cost to 'more' correctly solve 
problems is the limiting factor.

My view.
 Jim Bryant (FL)