Sorry to bring this up again, but I am wondering if any of you know the story behind those European whippen flange springs. I am just finishing the Bechstein action I had mentioned before and it is clear to me now that this action could have been improved with them. I really hate adding lead, but this is one of the most lightly leaded keyboards I've seen (what you would expect from an action with whippen flange springs) yet there were none. When I received this it had DN weight of 65 grams, UP of 35+ with the old parts. I used the new Renner wippens and have removed as much weight as I dare from the new hammers and shanks (which really is a lot) and now it is about 55 down and 26 up. I've decided to add a little lead, but perhaps I should have talked to David Stanwood about his new whippen flange spring modifications, and used them. We all know that supposedly the European actions are designed for heavier hammers, - but not this one! Does anyone know the history of those things? Did Bechstein add them after 1910? Thanks. Dennis Johnson St. Olaf College johnsond@stolaf.edu
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