<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='word-wrap: = break-word;-khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space'> <div class=Section1> The damper timing I thought was determined by the manufacturer.  When the key goes down it meets a couple of = resistance points.  One, the end of the key contacting the damper lift lever = (but who can feel that?) , and two, the jack contacting the let off button. = (which everybody can feel)  Since the contact between the key and damper = lift lever is  what, 1/8 inch leeway what difference does it really = make?  The most important consideration is that dampers lift as a unit as the = damper pedal is depressed so that “half dampening” can be utilized. = I can imagine asking any of the piano makers = including Seiler who show up for the National Convention where they prefer the key = to hit the damper lever and why.    ---ric   <a href="http://www.pnotec.com/">www.pnotec.com</a>     <div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in = 0in 4.0pt'> -----Original Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of william ballard Sent: Wednesday, January = 18, 2006 11:04 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: Lightening = touch by changing damper timing redux   <div> <div> On Jan 18, 2006, at 11:13 PM, <a = href="mailto:Piannaman@aol.com">Piannaman@aol.com</a> wrote: </div> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' = type=cite> I've read opinions about this where some techs say that changing damper timing "doesn't really lighten the touch, it only gives that perception."  </blockquote> <div>   </div> <div> Remember of course that when we measure touch weights on a grand action, the action is usually on the bench or otherwise separated from = the damper assembly (say, by putting the sustain pedal on). In effect you've = made the action feel as those the sustain pedal is on, even when it = isn't. </div> As = a piano player, the difference was quite noticeable in terms of weight and control.  <div>   </div> <div> It's now alot easier to play staccato, but much harder to play = legato. The conventional damper timing regulation would favor neither of these, balancing in the middle between the two of them. </div> </div>   <div> <div> Mr. = Bill </div> <div>  = </div> <div> "Can = you check out this middle C?. It "whangs' - (or twangs?) </div> <div>   =   Thanks so much, Ginger" </div> <div>   =   ...........Service Request </div> <div> +++++++++++++= ++++++++ </div> <div>  = </div> <div>  = </div> <div> List,   Some of you may remember that a = few months back I was asked to lighten the action in a Seiler 186 = grand.  I went about it by raising the damper lift to occur just before = letoff.  Instead of getting two bumps--one from damper lifting underlever and the = other from jack hitting button--you get a single, more elongated = bump. The method I used at that time was raising the damper wire blocks.  It = worked quite well, but it required regulating all of the dampers to lift evenly = from the tray as well.  The whole thing took around 2 = hours.   A couple of days ago, I achieved = the same result on an earlier model of Seiler (180) by bending the spoons = upward slightly.  Worked like a charm, and took about 1/4 the time.  =   I've read opinions about this = where some techs say that changing damper timing "doesn't really = lighten the touch, it only gives that perception."  As a piano player, = the difference was quite noticeable in terms of weight and control.  As = a tech, I noticed a five gram difference when I measured it.  =   The best two features of this operation?  1).  It works   2).  It's easily reversible.   Dave Stahl Dave Stahl Piano Service 650-224-3560 <a = href="http://www.dstahlpiano.net/">http://dstahlpiano.net/</a></spa= n>  = </div> </div>   </div> </div> </body> </html>