<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1491" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I don't know the Steinway = M touchweight characteristics (they all have their own personality!), but sure, you = can always make an action play "stiffer". Just add or remove some = lead in the keys. First regulate friction - here's a great chance to have a nice = amount of friction in your hammer shank flanges - and not have to consider = increased friction here a problem at the end of the key. You would need to decide = how much of an increase in touchweight you want in the form of downweight (DW), = and how much in the form of inertia. If you decrease the front weight (FW) of = the keys, the static DW of the keys will increase and thus feel stiffer when = playing softly. If you add lead to both the front and rear of the key, you = can increase inertia without increasing FW. If you add lead to the rear of = the key, you will increase both DW and inertia. I think manipulation of FW to get = your desired DW and inertia will be the key (pun intended) for = you.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This all assumes that action geometry = is good, etc., etc.  Are you familiar with Stanwood Touchweight Design principles?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>While not being any sort of fabulous = piano, if the piano is in <STRONG><U>excellent</U></STRONG> condition and looks real = nice, the $3K is not overpriced - but perhaps at the very upper limit of = reasonable (if it needs work, then subtract as appropriate). </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>FWIW: I helped my son's piano teacher = buy a 1960s Knabe (Aeolian) baby grand that was in very good condition (excellent = for its age - was a one-owner (little old lady)) - likely a similar piano - I = think she paid about $1,200 for it - but she got a very good deal - the owner was = dead and didn't drive a very hard bargain. The teacher then went and sold her = 1920s worn-out, banged-up, but quite playable (for the non-demanding pianist) Aeolian microgrand for $1,600.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV>Hi Folks,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Got a call from a client looking to buy a 1966 K&C baby = grand. Student takes lessons on a Steinway M and wants the K&C to play = more like the Steinway. I'm thinking a little stiffer perhaps. Wants to know if = this can be done / they are looking to spend $3k on this instrument (sounds = overpriced to me).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks in advance for the input.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>