touchweight analysis

[Richard Brekne]

I wanna take a shot at this...but this is mostly for my own information... I
rekon David S. will give you the real skinny.... but it will be fun for me to see
if my "analysis" is anywhere close.

You have a working ratio of around 6.0. Your first Strikeweight (#3) is way to
low for that ratio, then the next few samples are not so far off where they
should be... starting a bit on the low side of the curve for a 6.0, then
gradually getting a bit too heavy till finnally you are way heavy.... Your FWs
compared to Davids maximum Frontweight guide are as follows... quite low for the
first one.. then note 15 is to heavy.. then the rest are pretty close on the low
side, with the last note being to heavy by far.

This coupled with a KR of around 6.0 should give a pretty clunky feeling action.
... You are on the low end of Medium Strikeweight zone... you got little friction
to worry about... and plenty of front weight... this puppy should be flying...
but it aint... BW are all over the place and actually quite high in places for
Steinway.. I think they specify around 38 ??

Down weight of around 50 in the bass...tailing off a bit in the treble.
UW...should be around 25 in the bass... and a bit higher in the treble (less
friction there)... and this jives with your table..

Action spread is always an issue... but its not quite as straightforward to
change on Steinways as most pianos... so as you are a beginner (I believe..??) I
would suggest you dont consider fooling with this unless you are dead sure its a
big problem.

Prescription ???..grin..... here is where I am on real shaky ground yet... but I
will venture an answer and wait to see what David says along with you.. I'd say
that the capstan / heel should be moved in a bit and that the SW 's should be a
bit higher (except those towards the top.. they are probably pretty close to ok
after a capstan move.

Course if you are going to move the capstans... you gotta make sure that you dont
end up with having to set dip too deep, or setting the sharps to high over the
white keys to get enough after touch. Double check any numbers and measurements
you get with reality... grin..

Ok... thats my shot at it.. be fun to see how far off base I am......nasty
pitcher on the mound....:)


David Love wrote:

> Attached as an excel spreadsheet is some data on a Steinert 6' grand that
> has some problems.  The hammers and shanks were recently replaced (not by
> me) and the customer is not happy with the way it plays.  The action feels
> very heavy.  I would appreciate any input on solving the problem.  The
> customer likes the tone so I am reluctant to alter the strike weight except
> perhaps at the upper end of the piano.  The key ratio is high and I am
> considering moving the capstan.  The piano currently has a 17mm knuckle and
> moving to 18mm is another possibility.  Any thoughts?
>
> David Love
> _________________________________________________________________
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>   --------------------------------------------------------------------
>                    Name: Steinert.xls
>    Steinert.xls    Type: Microsoft Excel Worksheet (application/vnd.ms-excel)
>                Encoding: base64

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway
mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no