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Hi Phil,
This issue could be approached from more than one angle. The way I
envision this COULD include the manufacturers ( manufacturers are being
squeezed by a shrinking market, overbuilt capacity and a host of other
evils), but more likely could begin as a collaboration between artists
and techies to quantify and certify action balance characteristics
whatever they might be on any given instrument. Choosing a middle of
the road single standard could actually meet with greater resistance
than starting by evaluating instruments ' as they are' if for no other
reason than to assist artists in quantifying what they like. What I'm
talking about is more like the general range David Love described, but
with certifiable (not me - the action grin) balance characteristics.
Personally, I happen to think Davids dead center average idea is
reasonable (although I'm seriously reconsidering how we would evaluate
action responsiveness without sound), but reasonable is difficult to
agree on. The five levels are based on my experience of 'what's out
there' in performance land
1.) too light
2.) light
3.) just right
4.) firm
5.) too firm
these subjective descriptions could presume that the actions are
extremely facile and responsive, but the deficiencies in actions in the
real world are numerous, measurable, and to a great extent correctable.
By correcting action deficiencies that have nothing to do with mere
'touch preference', we might be able to quantify five touch levels of
fully functioning piano actions.
A large portion of the market will NEVER CARE about anything but the
style and finish of
their 'instrument'. It' just a decoration for a sunny window where we
can fry and egg on the plate every morning and chill beer every evening.
There is a segment of the piano market (albeit a small one) that would
find a 'quickly' (doesn't have to be remanufactured and/or
reengineered) adjustable action option desirable AND would be willing
to pay for it, just as there is a segment of the rebuild market that
demands the level of quality and uniformity that Renner actions
deliver, just as there is a segment of the market demanding proprietary
hammers created by John Hartman etc, etc.. A small company specializing
in action design/ production might be able to establish a niche market
for themselves.
As Del and others have said directly or indirectly its often not
a question of what we're capable of, but one of WHAT PRICE we are
willing to pay. For sure another aspect of the economic challenge being
faced here is that (like automobile racing) the degree of performance
improvement gets smaller and smaller per dollar spent (50% of your
money gets you 90% of your goal - the next 50% gets you the last 10%
improvement. Whether refinement of existing designs or an entire
redesign nets 10 % improvement, how many people would be willing to pay
an extra 50% for 10% improvement?
Anyway all this discussion has got me trying out every different piano
I can get my paws on. Anyone know where I might test drive a Rippen
grand?
Best, Rich
On Friday, May 2, 2003, at 12:43 PM, Phillip Ford wrote:
> Wow, now you're really dreaming. I never imagined that the piano
> manufacturers would be too responsive to the idea of a standard spec
> for their C & A pianos, or as an option on their retail pianos (or
> perhaps as the normal setup with the option being for something else).
> Imagine their response when you tell them you want five standard
> specs. Not that I think it's a bad idea. But in the real world of
> concert pianos and pianists how many pianists ever get to choose
> between five pianos? Maybe in New York. Most other places they're
> lucky if they get one. So which of the five specs would you use for
> this one piano? I think we're back to the
> idea of a standard middle of the road spec that most artists can live
> with.
>
> Phil F
>
> At 03:59 PM 5/1/03 , you wrote:
>> Hi Phil,
>>
>> What I also meant and didn't articulate clearly enough was that the
>> certifications could have differing certified values ranging from
>> what I
> will
>> very imprecisely describe ' light' to 'heavy'. Maybe there would be
>> five?
>
>> gradations.....
>
>> Its good to have dreams.
>>
>> Best, Rich
>
>> On Thursday, May 1, 2003, at 05:32 PM, Phillip Ford wrote:
>
>>> This is an interesting idea. Sort of like a Good Housekeeping Seal
>>> of
>>> Approval. You could have a Good Action Setup Seal of Approval given
>>> by
>>> certified techs to pianos having actions conforming to the
>>> standard. Pianists could request that they be provided with a piano
>>> having
>>> a Good Action Setup Seal of Approval for their concerts.
>>>
>>> Phil F
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
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