Weird Frontweights

[Ron Nossaman]

>    Any weighting off of keys, if done on an individual basis, must first
>have all of the other problems of friction, regulation, etc. taken care of
>first. So many of the manufacturers don't seem to be able to do this.
>    So, if a piano is made at the factory with these obvious shortcomings,
>and then the keys are individually weighted on an action in that condition,
>when it IS put into the proper, well-regulated condition, then it seems to
>me that the key weighing would no longer be correct, and in fact would
>probably be all over the place.

That's the whole problem. Keys are individually weighted to produce uniform
static down weight. It's done as a "finishing" step to "overcome" the
apparent irregularities in the action, but it doesn't. Weight distribution
from key to key most likely isn't where the problem lies in the first
place, so changes in weight distribution from key to key probably aren't
going to fix it. Pattern leading is a better approach because it's done as
a foundation rather than a last ditch attempt at disguise. The leading
pattern is, of course, established to accommodate anticipated action
geometry and hammer weight graduation. With a reasonably competently
designed pattern leading schedule, someone doing a "final" weigh off and
finding wild discrepancies will know to look elsewhere than at the leading
for the cause. 

That's why pattern leading is a better idea. It's a known weighting
progression, and it helps to have SOMETHING reasonably dependable to work
from. 

Ron N