[CAUT] New S&Sons hung hammers

[David Stanwood]

Hi Denis,

I re-graphed your graph and created a graph showing SW zones:

http://stanwoodpiano.com/SteinwayD-StockNY-2012-05-17.pdf

I created a specification for "least work", that is to say the 
closest possible average of the existing Strike Weights.  For this 
set of hammers the result is a good fit for projection in a large 
hall.  It starts at curve #9 - TopMedium and crosses up to curve #11 
- 1/2 High at note #44.  These hammers are not unusually heavy for 
Steinway D.  although there are plenty of examples of much lighter 
sets coming out of Steinway NY over the years, some as light as 1/2 
medium, and I've seen a few examples of heavier sets recently. 
Measure, Measure, Measure is the rule here.

Your Touch Weight Metrology analysis data is important and brings up 
the core issue with rehammering any piano.  What is a good ratio 
match for the hammer weight? (or vise versa)  In this case the hammer 
weight is the priority for full projection in a big hall.  Your 
analysis by sampling Strike Weight Ratio across the keyboard 
indicates an average ratio of 5.9.  This is a problem.  If you want 
to go with the recommended Strike Weights in the High Zone the 
dynamic feel of the action will be too heavy with this mismatch.

I can report directly from experience on this.  David Andersen has a 
Steinway D with SALA (Stanwood Adjustable Leverage Action).  We've 
been showing piano this around LA and also brought it to Seattle for 
a conference.  The Strike Weights on this piano were set at curve #10 
- 1/4 high with a median ratio of Strike Weight Ratio of 5.5.  A 
number of what I would call - Strong Male Professional Pianists 
tested out this piano and settled on a touch setting of #4, (#1 being 
lightest and #5 heaviest.)  #4 SALA setting corresponds to a ratio of 
5.8.  So your piano with a slightly heavier weight level with a 
higher ratio of 5.9 would feel too heavy for these strong fellos by 
this reckoning.  You want to create an action that has broad appeal 
to visiting pianists.  So 5.9 will narrow the field tremendously.  By 
another note Andersen's SALA D piano, Lang Lang performed on it and 
preferred SALA setting #1 which corresponds to a ratio of 5.2.

I'm assuming you have current Steinway parts with a Knuckle Core 
radius of 17mm.
The solution for you might be to work with the capstan line to reduce 
the ratio level to a more average appeal.  I recommend 5.5.  This is 
also the standard established by studies of Hamburg Steinways which 
showed average ratio of 5.5 and average Strike Weights that closely 
match what you have in this example of Stock NY Steinway D Hammers.

If you are not confident in moving a capstan line then I advise 
seeking help from someone skilled in this.

Hope this helps,

David STanwood