touchweight

[Jon Page]

At 03:22 PM 9/17/2002 -0400, you wrote:

>Dear list,
>
>I have a faculty member here who is very sensitive to unevenness in the
>keys. The piano is an S&S D that is six years old. After I make sure all
>friction is gone, keys are eased, etc., do I really want to start removing
>leads? This piano should have been right at the factory and I really don't
>know if I should be messing with it like that. I know that Stanwood's system
>is probably a long term answer but this person has a recital next week. Any
>suggestions?
>
>Ray

Uneven touchweight might be more an effect of tight hammer center pins than 
key leading at this point.
That is not to say that the keys are leaded properly but that there are 
other aspects influencing the result.

For a piano of this caliber, it would be worth measuring the keys for 
touchweight and leverage.

However if you are not familiar with the process, then no; don't take a 
stab in the dark at this late stage
and remove leads.

Look at individual damper lift.

A benefit of a graduated Strike Weight is that the repetition springs are 
more evenly regulated for tension
thus the resistance at let off is more consistent.

Apply Teflon powder to the knuckles and key bushings. Apply Protek or 
better yet... Goose Juice to the center pins.


Regards,

Jon Page,   piano technician
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.
mailto:jonpage@attbi.com
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