<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>Re: regulation problems in Aeolian era M and H 50"</title></head><body> <div>At 3:34 PM -0500 12/18/04, Piannaman@aol.com wrote:</div> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Verdana">Salutations,<br> <br> I've got some regulation problems on a 50 inch Mason upright from the 70s.  I've worked on other Aeolian uprights of that vintage, and some of them have the same problem.  </font><br> <font face="Verdana"></font></blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Verdana">The initial problem was that the keys weren't bottoming out on punchings.  It seems that it's been that way since new(though they bought it used).  There was a huge gap between the bottom of the key and the punching when the key was depressed.  This led to hammers blocking, bobbling, and a feel that could only be described as spongy.  </font></blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Something is preventing the keys from contacting the front rail punchings. Whatever it is, I'd be looking to find out.<br> </div> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Verdana">At my last visit, I added punchings, and improved the feel somewhat, but some of the bobbling is still there.  I also had to increase letoff distance in some areas of the keyboard an unacceptable amount to get it to work without hammers blocking against strings.<br> <br> I think that the main problem is that the key height is too great.  It was somewhere around 70mm, though I forgot to write it down.  More precise measurements are necessary, and they will be forthcoming after my next visit there in January.  Blow distance is at 1 7/8(the only thing in the piano that seems at spec...:-), but it doesn't seem to be enough.</font></blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Taking the measures you is not going to solve the problem.</div> <div><br></div> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Verdana">I tried lowering the key height on a few sample keys by removing balance rail punchings, but there was nowhere near enough aftertouch.  Should I try increasing blow distance to 2 inches or more?  Any ideas???  Haaalp??</font></blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Increasing blow distance is only going to exacerbate the situation. Decreasing the distance will enhance aftertouch.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Find the reason for, "<font face="Verdana">... There was a huge gap between the bottom of the key and the punching when the key was depressed</font> ...", and all will be revealed.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Keith</div> <x-sigsep><pre>-- </pre></x-sigsep> <div>Keith McGavern<br> Registered Piano Technician<br> Oklahoma Chapter 731<br> Piano Technicians Guild<br> USA<br> </div> </body> </html>