[CAUT] F..riction

[Ed Foote]

David writes:
>>  A smooth FW curve and smooth SW curve in which the BW is allowed to 
float can easily produce irregularities of a couple of grams.  What is 
more perceptible, BW differences or FW weight differences that result 
in differences in inertia?  Rhetorical question really as I think it's 
pretty difficult to answer but one may find oneself in the position of 
having to make the choice or compromise both a little bit.  In reality, 
it may be much ado about nothing.  <<

  I think by "scattering" the irregularities around, they disappear.  
So, I begin with a smooth FW and SW, coupled by samples through the 88 
keys to arrive at values for both that keep me within bounds of the BW 
I am looking for.  Upon assembly, I always find that there are some 
notes that simply don't fall into line with the DW, so for those that 
are too heavy(DW), I touch off a little bit of the hammer(belt sander 
on the sides), and for those that are too light, I use a 1/4" drill to 
remove a bit of lead from the most proximal keylead.  This leaves me 
with near perfect DW and pianists have always felt that the actions 
done like this are extremely even.
     I also scatter the regulation to create exactly even aftertouch.  
This is done by allowing keydip to vary by .010" and also raising or 
lowering the hammer by as much as a mm or so. I keep the let-off and 
drop as consistent as I can possibly set it.  I also use much softer 
springing than any of the factory actions I see.
  This approach is difficult to use on a production line, but put 
together generally puts the pianists totally at ease with the control. 
I, and my ears, are getting older.  I don't voice as well as I used to, 
but a really killer regulation will make up for some of that.  Mischa 
Dicter (sp?) once remarked about my action that "There is a little bit 
of voicing irregularity there in the fifth octave, but with an action 
like that it is no problem".  ( He actually believed it was a specially 
prepared piano that had been sent from Atlanta, and at first said that 
"Ron really did a great job on that one!)
Regards,

Regards,
Ed Foote