<html> <body> Hi Israel,                  On the subject of springs. One of the most common causes of unstable regulation, is the friction in the spring grub slot.   I can't count the number of times that cleaning the spring tips and lubricating the slots, has changed the regulation dramatically.   Some times for the better, and some times it will make the springs kick like a mule.  The more I think about it, the more I realize that I either service the springs, or ball park adjust them first, or very early in the regulation process. This action will also change let off, and most other regulation parameters.  In extreme cases, ( 1920's Steinway's with Tallow in the grub slot)  you will find that you will need to change the dip (after touch) after you clean the slot and tips. Regards Roger At 10:23 PM 06/02/2008, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">At 09:43 PM 2/4/2008, Larry Trischetta wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <dl> <dd>>>DO THE SPRING STRENGTH FIRST, AND PRECISELY <dd>  <dd>The spring tension will change to some degree (sometimes a lot) when the other regulation points are done, therefore it is impossible to adjust the strength precisely on the FIRST pass. </blockquote> </dl> Then, I might also add, that it's impossible to do springs - precisely or otherwise - before getting the backchecks fairly close, because backcheck regulation affects spring compression - and therefore the speed at which the hammer "jumps" when you test the springs. If backchecks aren't at least close to where they ought to be - you will be getting a false reading on how strong the springs really are. The gist of all this is that you pretty much have to get all your regulation points or functions "in the ballpark" before attempting to regulate anything precisely. It's sort of like doing a pitch raise before fine-tuning. What you write below, Larry, is probably one of the best statements of how regulation actually works that I have seen. Israel Stein <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <dl> <dd>Most of the regulation points except let-off will change, even if it is a small amount, after other points are tackled. Thus the “rounds of regulation”. But it is true that the spring tension should be either after blow distance or not far behind. Let off can come before spring tension. The 37 steps are just that… steps… but not the process as a whole. You will be going up a few steps and  then back down a few more and so on… you’ll be running up and down the staircase a number of times, until every point is in harmony with what the technician KNOWS is supposed to happen. Without that knowledge of what is supposed to happen, all you’re doing is following steps in sequence and crossing your fingers at the end of the last step. The concept of what is actually happening when you change a point of regulation is imperative. <dd>Larry Trischetta </blockquote> </dl></blockquote></body> </html>