<HTML><HEAD> <META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; cha= rset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffff= f"> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 3/18/2004 6:14:41 AM Pacific Standard Time, fssturm@= unm.edu writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue = 2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>    So I wonder if any of you have e= xperience in addressing weight issues in <BR>small Kawai's of this vintage, = and would be willing to share. Specifically, <BR>I'm wondering if a combinat= ion of wipp spring adjustment, adding a bit of <BR>lead to keys, and taperin= g hammers is likely to produce acceptable results. <BR>And whether just spri= ngs, just lead, or springs and lead would be enough.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Fred Stur= m<BR>University of New Mexico</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV>  <FONT size=3>Hi Fred</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>   You're on the right track here. I like the = tone quality  many of the older model Howards/ Kawai 550's.  5ft. = 10 inch I think.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>   The hammer weights are usually high & t= he keys  have no or not much lead. If replacing hammers or not, a combi= nation of reducing spring tension on the wippen to carry a max. of about 12 = grams of the wippen weight & then adding some lead is very effective.&nb= sp;The one repaired was changed to a slightly lighter hammer & followed = the above protocol & the action was smooth & easy to play with a ver= y fluid feel. I really like it personally. It plays like the wind.</FONT></D= IV> <DIV><FONT size=3>   Regards</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>   Dale Erwin</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>  Modesto Junior Cllege</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"= >Erwins Pianos Restorations <BR>4721 Parker Rd.<BR>Modesto, Ca 95357<BR>209-= 577-8397<BR>Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales<BR>www.Erwinspiano.co= m</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>