Recently I wrote in to MMD saying that there are a minimum of
three different Duo-Art test rolls from approximately 1914, 1921,
and 1928 [110301 MMDigest, Duo-Art Won't Play Chords Softly].  It is
meaningless to ask if a Duo-Art can play three notes at the zero level
because there are three slightly different standards.

I have been saying for many years that I find the great majority of
rebuilt pianos to be wanting.  Because of tiny variations in both the
individual notes of the piano action, as well as tiny variations in the
strength of individual pneumatics, notes will miss at low volumes, and
the invariable reaction is to set the Zero Level higher.  This means
that almost all of the soft playing will be too loud, and the playing
is like -- well, a player piano!

I trained in fine action regulating with Dave Stanwood, and am a
certified technician.  Dave has shown how tiny little variations in
hammer weight, key weight and friction can make a piano very unpleasant
to hand play (or roll play).  Dave has shown that the key leads do not
change by themselves but the friction sure does.

Weight and friction affect the keys differently.  For instance, I just
regulated my 1918 Steinway AR by putting in all new action parts.  When
I was measuring how much the front of the keys weigh, I was really
surprised to see how irregular it was note-to-note.  Obviously, when
this action was being regulated at the Steinway factory, if the center
pins of the action are too tight, the only thing the technician did
back then was to add more lead to the front of the key, so that a
standard "down weight" would be achieved.

What technicians of today should do is to measure the key and hammer
weight, and let the results make a smooth curve on graph paper by
adding or subtracting lead on the individual note.  Then friction can
be measured, and regulated to an extent by changing the hammer shank
center pin.  It's also a good idea to measure the friction of the
hammer and wippen center pins by holding the flange in one hand, and
swinging them and seeing how many swings back and forth it makes.
Obviously, this should be done before any critical regulating is to
be done.

I welcome all comments and suggestions.

Randolph Herr