Spencer Chase asked what the correct position for the Mezzo Forte
hook should be.  The service manuals for the Licensee give an
approximate value, but this is really guidance for the technician
who doesn't understand music.

The Mezzo Forte hook position is just that -- it sets the suction
required for mezzo forte playing.  Its position will vary with every
piano, based upon the "weight" of the action, just as the "pianissimo"
position is not constant, and the "fortissimo" position is not a single
value.

The simplicity of this is what makes the Welte-Mignon work so well.
The pianissimo is regulated for any given piano.  The mezzo forte is
regulated to that force which gives moderate tone.  Then the crescendo
and sForzando is regulated accordingly.

This is why T-100 red paper Welte Mignon pianos have no provision
for measuring the inches of vacuum on each side of the stack.  The
technician was expected to regulate the piano from the musician's point
of view.

The original T-100 (red) literature gives no specific position for the
Mezzo Forte hook.  Further, the maximum pump pressure should be set
according to the piano tone.  "Fortissimo" should be set according to
both piano and room size -- there is nothing worse that a tiny piano
beating it's hammers to death.

Spencer also asked about the springs selected for the regulators.
According to a letter from Edwin Welte, the springs for the
[Welte-built] Vorsetzers were selected for a Steinway-weight piano
action.  One must assume that some single standard was selected for
the Licensee pianos.  I do not know what the Licensee standard was.

Mark Reinhart
Charles Town, West Virginia