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<DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>It appears that the SBR (leverage) is a bit high in this piano. You need to provide a bit more information but it seems to average approximately 6.2. My guess is that the knuckle position is 16mm and it should be 17 mm. That would lower the ratio to approximately 5.8 (average) and would be sufficient to lift the existing hammer weight without excessive front weighting. Depending on the situation I would consider moving the knuckle. Since you didn't provide upweight and downweight information, I don't know what the friction component is. But moving from a 16 - 17mm knuckle will also lower the friction a bit. You might also check the capstan line. Measure the key ratio in the bass as well as the treble to see if the key ratio changes through the piano. Another possibility is to move the capstan line forward in order to achieve a uniform key ratio and reduce the leverage to the necessary level at the same time. I wouldn't take any weight off the hammers, they are not that heavy to begin with. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>David Love</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.net</A></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=mark.davidson@mindspring.com href="mailto:mark.davidson@mindspring.com">Mark Davidson</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 6/1/2003 6:10:44 AM </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> 1999 Steinway L with heavy action</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>I have a 1999 Steinway L with rather heavy action I am looking to correct.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Friction has been taken care of (was originally 20-30 grams - now 10-15).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Action has been fully regulated which also improved it considerably.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Here are some numbers:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Balance weight ranges from 38-51g, average about 44.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Strike weights are medium in the bass crossing over to heavy in the tenor.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>note BW FW SW</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C1 46 36 10.9</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C2 45 34 11</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C3 44 29 10.3</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C4 41 32 10.5</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C5 42 26 9.8</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C6 38 24 9</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C7 43 12 7.6</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>C8 40 7 6</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>So I am considering the following:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>1. relead keys to bring balance weight to 38g</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>2. (1) plus move lead closer to balance rail to prevent slower repetition</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>3. lighten hammers from tenor up (remove felt? drill mouldings? maybe some of each - could use filing anyway)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2> (piano is in a 10X13 room with hardwood floors so a smaller sound would not be an issue)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>4. turbo wippen (either leave leads alone or remove some to make unsprung BW around 50 - how much are these things $$).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>5. some combination of above</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Recommendations?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>-Mark Davidson</FONT></DIV>
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