<HTML><HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2715.400" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>The key issue with aftertouch is jack clearance from the knuckle.  While you can't see it when the action is in the piano, you can check for clearance on the bench and adjust until it is right.  Then check how the note feels.  By depressing the key slowly you can feel escapement  and the amount of key movement after.  My own preference is to set dip to a certain depth and make small adjustments to blow distance as needed.  If a large compromise is needed then divide the change between blow and dip.  Set the dip on the naturals to 10- 10.5 mm (more or less depending on your own tastes and the requirements of the piano).  Then check the aftertouch by observing jack clearance.  Pick a note on the end of a section, feel the escapement and aftertouch, slide the action out and hold it in a position where the aftertouch on that note feels the same as it did with the action in place and look at the jack.    One and one-half millimeters of clearance between the jack and the knuckle when the key is fully depressed is enough.  Adjust the blow distance or dip or both as needed (actually do this on a few samples before you dip all the naturals might save you some time if you have to make compromises to the dip) .  When you get it where you want it, then go through and dip the sharps by feel to match the feel in aftertouch of the naturals.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2> <DIV>David Love</DIV> <DIV><A href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.net</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=hullfam5@yahoo.com href="mailto:hullfam5@yahoo.com">Bob Hull</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> 3/14/2003 10:49:17 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Aftertouch evaluation</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <P>I am wondering about the value of different methods of evaluating aftertouch on a grand. I know one method is to add punchings on top of those on the front rail pin until let-off can't take place; </P> <P>Another method I've heard of and used is to look at the final position of the jack in relationship to the knuckle and jack cushion after drop - but this can't be done with the action in the piano;  The next method (which I don't think I've read about anywhere) is my question to the list:  Can you accurately evaluate aftertouch by traveling the key/hammer through drop and then moving the jack tender downward to see how far the jack travels before being stopped by the jack cushion?</P> <P>Also, if you are using the addition of punchings on the front rail pin until let-off fails, what are some good parameters to stay within for "good" aftertouch, i.e. .050 - .060 ?  I know the Steinway manual says that a good amount is about the thickness of a new penny.  How far can we stray from that measurement and still be alright?</P> <P>Bob</P> <P><BR> <HR SIZE=1> Do you Yahoo!?<BR><A href="http://rd.yahoo.com/webhosting/mail_tagline/evt=7748/*http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/wh3/prod/">Yahoo! Web Hosting</A> - establish your business online</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>