>>You probably don't have frictional problems but the good old >>weight problem. >>David ilvedson, RPT >>Pacifica, CA >With the greatest respect, David, but unless you are clairvoyant, I don't >understand how you can make this statement. >You may be correct but friction assessment and resolution is so basic to >piano service that it receives high priority on my clients' pianos. >Best regards, >Stan Kroeker >Registered Piano Technician Stan, David Ilvedson is right in saying it is probably a weight problem. If you've devoted anytime to studying weight ratios in piano actions, you would quickly find that Baldwin actions with Strike Weight Ratios around 6.7 are common. Actions with these kind of ratios need strike weights in the low medium to light zone. If you want to keep the strike weight in the high zone say for a concert hall or a big sound then you need to bring the strike weight ratio down closer to 5.0 This is done by moving in the capstan line. It is a common misbelief that all piano actions have a ratio of 5. They rarely do. You are right to say the friction assessment and resolution is basic. What you probably haven't discovered is that high strike weights with high ratio numbers will have higher than normal friction. In other words, friction can be high even when flanges and keybushings are free. Bringing down either the strike weight or the strike weight ratio will bring the friction weight down as well. David C. Stanwood
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