What matters most ?

[Michael Spalding]

> [Original Message]
> From: Bill Ballard <yardbird@vermontel.net>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 8/23/2003 7:30:26 PM
> Subject: Re: What matters most ?
>
>. I mean, a key of average inertia 
> with a top action of excessive inertia sitting on top of it probably 
> behaves no differently than a high inertia key with a normal top 
> action sitting on it. In the former, the key is ready to accelerate 
> as easily as we'd want, but its motion is is restrained by the 
> sluggish top action load. In the latter, the top action is ready to 
> accelerate as fast as we'd want, but its motion is provided solely by 
> the key underneath it which will always be too slow.
>

Bill,  I have to disagree with this.  Because the coupling of the key to
the top action is compliant (wippen cushion, felt bushed action centers,
knuckles, flexible shank), there will be a distinctly different feel to the
two cases.  In the case of a key of average inertia with a top action of
excessive inertia sitting on top of it, as the key begins its downward
motion, the full inertia of the top action will not be felt immediately, as
the compliant coupling starts to compress.  Whereas, with the key of excess
inertia with a normal top action sitting on top of it, the excess inertia
will be felt immediately as the key begins to move.  You can feel the
difference.

Mike