richard writes: >I am a new piano tech and I am regulating my 1964 Steinway Model L before >I sell it. The key dip is 11/32 when it should be 13/32 but the hammer >blow distance is 1 15/16 instead of 1 3/4. (with the prospect of Stanwood quizzically peering over my shoulder (:)}}), Greetings, One quick diagnostic way to approach it is, with let-off and drop properly set, to put the key dip at .380", put the hammer in check, and then turn the capstan until the jack is located evenly between the proximal side of the knuckle and the mortise backstop felt. Release the key, and voila! you see what the ideal hammer height is be for that keydip. However, what is ideal for that dip may not be ideal for your fingers, or the plate height, or any number of reasons. You can then alter things one direction or another by increasing or decreasing the blow distance AND the key dip together. Following this, you may also need finer leeway, which can be found by allowing the jack to be unevenly located between knuckle and stop. The quality of the action parts will become evident when you get to this point, and the regulation specs will have to be tolerant enough to encompass the inconsistancy of the components, mainly in the knuckle line and whippen dimensions. Good luck, Ed Foote
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