<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C55405.B696E840">  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor="#CCCCFF" lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple = style='tab-interval: .5in'> <div class=Section1> I agree.  That is the tradeoff.  A softer touch because of a = more compressible punching will result in a variation in aftertouch depending on the dynamic level of play.  A firmer punching will give a = more precise regulation less subject to dynamic variability but a harder = stop.  Choosing a balance between = consistency of regulation and the desired feel at the bottom of the stroke is the = challenge and will depend on the needs of the particular player.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net <o:p></o:p> </div> -----Origi= nal Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Piano Forte Supply Sent: Sunday, May 08, = 2005 7:30 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: RE: something = about aftertouch....... <o:p> </o:p> Maybe I = overlooked it, but what I haven't seen in recent posts on this topic is how the compressibility of the front rail punching affects the aftertouch at = different dynamic levels.  With a more highly compressible, less firm = punching, the aftertouch changes a lot more drastically through the spectrum of = dynamics, from ppp through fff.  If the piano is regulated at a = "medium" blow [please don't jump on me for this term, I think it is clear to all = who want to understand], the reduction in aftertouch on a very light blow is = far more apt to create a problem with a bobbling hammer (than with a firmer punching).  Conversely, on the same note played fff, aftertouch = will surely far exceed 1 mm [dip and jack/knuckle clearance] and the chances = are good that the jack will bury itself in the jack stop felt. Meanwhile, the pianist is getting completely different tactile feedback = from the key at every different dynamic level. (fluctuation in key dip, = aftertouch, checking height etc., perhaps even repetition) So the question is: HOW firm do we want the front rail punching to = be?  Obviously more firm than a sponge and softer than a stack of cardboard punchings.  But beyond that?  Perhaps as firm as possible = without compomising the other duties of this punching, such as to keep key thunk = to a minimum.  I have done some simple testing, measuring the thickness of a common = (woven) front rail punching and a Crescendo punching with no load compared to = being compressed by weight.  In my test, the Crescendo punching = compressed  less than half as much as the other one. I can imagine there will be players for whom the feel of the Crescendo punchings may not be "soft" enough, just as there are those = who enjoy their "loose action" with wobbling hammers.   For most = others, this new punching with its crisp, precise feel will enhance their = playing pleasure, if not their performance. Using these punchings will yield a more stable regulation, with an unprecedented definition of aftertouch as well as greater consistency of = touch throughout all dynamic playing levels.  And that can't be all bad... Jurgen Goering Piano Forte Supply<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>