We often discuss the issue of excess inertia in an action due to too much lead in the keys. But how does the inertia compare if you change the leverage and substitute high SWs and low FWs? I have recent customer who has asked me to assist him with an action that he is complaining about. The FWs are pretty low and uniformly located nearer the balance rail. The strike weights are fairly high, the balance weight is low (34 grams), friction is not a problem. From our discussions about what he doesn't seem to like I deduce that it's an inertia problem. The only area that can be responsible for the added inertia are the higher strike weights. Interestingly, this piano is a Steinway that had lots of lead and very high action ratio and relatively light hammers before work was done to it. The change was to a low action ratio, low FW but high SW action and he doesn't like it any better. Comments? David Love www.davidlovepianos.com
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