[pianotech] Fwd: Erwins key dip gauge

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Ed, Andrè, others.

Its not really true at Yamaha either. One of the first things I noticed 
in my two month long visits to the academy was that to achieve 
satisfying <<correct in their terminology>>  aftertouch one needed to 
float the hammer blow difference. This was something the instructors 
openly admitted and justified by simply saying this is how we decide to 
do things here.  In the course of each 2 month session I had to change 8 
sets of hammers, regulate, and voice.  Their spec was an "exact" 10 mm 
dip, and the resulting variance in blow from hammer set to hammer set 
ranged from 44 mm to 49.  And that was just on one piano. (I had the 
same instrument both times).  The need to alter the general blow 
difference reflects the exact same kind of needs one finds key to key. 
It is just simply impossible to be so exacting in parts construction and 
installation to not need to float one of the three. Informed choices as 
to which to float, along with precise regulation otherwise is all that 
is needed to achieve a wonderful regulation. Indeed... as far as key dip 
goes... even there pianists preferences differ and we simply MUST be 
able to supply alterations that still fill all requirements of a 
beautifully regulated instrument. 

Like many, I choose aftertouch priority. In my case as taught by L. 
Edwards, Yamaha America. And I choose that very thoughtfully and after 
paying very close attention to the alternatives.

Cheers
RicB


         >>Give any decent instrument a really good and precise key dip
        and regulation and the result will almost always be very nice
        and very satisfying.

        Perhaps on a very tightly controlled production line, but with
        the handbuilt pianos, I rarely find this to be true.  If the key
        dip is exactly the same, and the hammer line is straight, the
        aftertouch is going to be all over the map.  With New York
        Steinway, my priorities for consistancy are aftertouch,
        hammerline, then keydip.  

        So,  if I am regulating for the highest level, I am going to
        split the error and allow blow and keydip to both vary slightly
        so that aftertouch remains consistant. It feels better than if I
        allow dip to take up all the inequalities of the action.  If I
        have to change a measured, pre-set, key dip by more .005" I will
        either raise or lower the blow. It takes very little change.  
        When combined, the two deviations become totally invisible and
        the action feels more even than most players are accustomed to.
        Regards,
         
        Ed Foote RPT