I'm getting ready to install my second set of the WNG composite reps and wanted to get a sense of the current thinking about the interface between the capstan and the rep heel. I'm interested in two things in particular. Angled or straight capstans? The original 20's vintage S&S A had angled capstans of course, and I've read some references to this creating an action ratio which varies throughout the keystroke. I tend to credit the original designers with more thoughtfulness than they're sometimes given credit for, as they had an awful lot of pianos (as well as time, inclination and money) to experiment with. So part of me thinks that if they used angled capstans they probably did it for a specific, well thought out reason. Of course, the new WNG heels are not angled to match, which might in itself be a good reason to go with non-angled capstans. On my first set I used a 6º angle, arrived at by trial & error, and this seemed to work out pretty well, but I'm wondering if anybody has any good reasons to go with one system or the other. The "magic line" at half-stroke: WNG is recommending using different heels for the sharps to maintain this, but I'm a little concerned about how this will actually feel in the finished action. After all, pianists have spent the past three centuries getting used to slightly different touch characteristics between sharps and naturals, and I want this action to feel good, not unusual. The only other time I did this I set the magic line up for the naturals and let it go at that. It occurred to me that it might be better to compromise between the naturals and sharps, or else go with the two different heels. Has anybody used the WNG system and been able to judge the results in the finished product? Thanks, - Mark
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