Keyboard touch

[Richard Brekne]

Run a quick check as to the hammer Strike weights. That plus the ratio 
of the piano and the corresponding amount of keyweighting are all the 
clues you really need.  If the hammers end up being too heavy (and they 
often are in these kinds of cases) then they need to be filed down, or 
changed. If that looks good, then your problem is probably a bit more 
involved.

RicB

Bill Yick wrote:
> I have a clients' grand action, an old Gulbransen. Someone has put on 
> new hammers, and the other parts are in good condition, the ivory 
> keyboard is in exceptionally good condition. He has carpel tunnel, and 
> is complaining about the "heavy" touch. I played on it, and it is 
> heavier than I would like myself. I measured the downweight with gram 
> weights, and it averages 55 grams +. I took the job, but need some 
> advice. There does not seem to be excess friction in any of the action 
> parts. It is my opinion that the hammers are too heavy. They were 
> installed several years ago, but look almost new. They have a "fuzzy" 
> look, that makes them look as if they are "right out of the box." They 
> may not have ever been filed. The tails looks as if they have been 
> barely shaped for the back checks, not the long curve that is typical. I 
> can see lots of wood that can be taken off. I bought a gram scale so 
> that I could maybe achieve some consistency in the wood removal. My 
> neig! hbor has a band saw, and I have a disk sander. I think I could do 
> the wood removal, measuring the weight as I go. Having never done this 
> job before, what advice can you give me?
>  
> Bill Yick, Rpt
> 
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