Ideal leading pattern:

[jolly roger]

Hi David,
              Sorry I had a brain fart!  Not so unusual.  The point I was
trying to make, it is that just looking at DW  or FW with out looking at
the whole is dangerous, 
A heavy hammer, with the extra lead in the key, is a double wammy for
inertia. But this is where helper springs can be wisely used.
Strike weight ideally should be selected for tonal reasons. Action
parameters then worked back from there.  This is rare to find on many
rebuilt pianos.
So many tech's hear that brand X hammers are supposed to be very good, they
order them and install them with out considering the new mass wrt touch
weight.
Just a note of caution for the unwary.
I agree with your observations with regard to bulk on the treble hammers,
that's why I developed my tapering jig's so that i could felt as I taper.
Regards Roger







At 01:45 AM 3/30/01 +0000, you wrote:
>Roger:  Don't you mean one has a low strike weight versus lots of leading.  
>To reduce DW, all other things being equal, either you reduce the strike 
>weight, or add lead.  Also, regarding front weight:  I find it difficult to 
>stay within Stanwoods parameters on maximum FW in the upper range of the 
>piano.  Steinway hammers tend to be bulky up there and I do reduce them by 
>tapering, trimming felt, etc..  But I often find getting down to 3-4 grams 
>by note the end is very difficult.
>
>David Love
>
>David Love
>
>