Touch Weight

[James Ellis]

David Love's point is well taken, and I agree.  However, my previous post
titled "Touch Weight" was in response to Paul Legard's request for a simple
routine to follow that would produce good results.  From reading some of
the posts on this list, it seems to me that many technicians out there do
not have a sufficiently clear concept of action dynamics to attempt any
sort of re-design of an existing action.  Hammer weight (mass) is dictated
by string mass and the sound one wants to produce, but constrained by the
mechanical limitations of the system.  John Hartman's description of moment
of inertia is correct.  You must look at the entire compound lever system,
but it all boils down to static weight, leverage ratio, time, mass, and
distance traveled.  No matter how you describe it, the basics remain the
same, and it is not just "theoretical".  It is very real, and provable.
The simple point I am making is:  If you really know what you are doing, go
ahead and re-design the action.  If not, don't do it.

Sincerely, Jim Ellis