good, bad grand actions

[Dave Nereson]

<I hope this doesn't sound like too goofy a question. I guess I'm asking
whether a Young Chang (or whatever generally viewed lower quality action)
can be made to play as well as any good quality action (neglecting the
difference in pianos - which I fully realize can dramatically affect the way
an action performs)?>

    Seems to me that, although the action parts in modern grands aren't
necessarily interchangeable between different actions, their geometry is
very close, that is, they don't differ all that much.  What varies is the
quality of materials,  precision of assembly, and how well they're
regulated.  On most Yamahas, for example, the parts are pretty well aligned,
jacks centered, regulating buttons straight up and down and evenly spaced,
while on some Korean pianos, they're pointing every which direction, keys
rub together, hammer tails rub the backchecks on a hard blow, etc.  But if
all these things are corrected (alignment, easing, re-pinning,
straightening, friction, balance, etc.) and the action is finely regulated,
it should play as well, at least for a while, as a more expensive piano.
The parts may wear out faster, but that wasn't the question.
    A piano teacher client of mine who has always preferred the touch of a
Steinway action asked me if there's anything inherent in the Steinway action
or anything different that makes its touch unique.  (I don't really see the
perceived "Steinway touch" as unique, except that new ones tend to have a
heavy downweight, as do many un-broken-in new pianos).  I replied, "Not
really -- the action parts are very similar to most other grands, except the
rounded balance rail -- it's how they're regulated, weighted, balanced, that
makes the difference in the touch."
    So, yes, I think a well-prepared and super-regulated Young Chang or even
Samick (?) action could be put into a Steinway or Bösendorfer (if the
hammers, strike point, etc. all lined up) and most professional players
wouldn't know the difference unless they've played only one brand of piano t
heir whole career.
    (I feel the flames already)            --David Nereson, RPT, Denver