I have a Baldwin "L" grand piano, about 12 years old, only lightly played. Our piano technician has suggested that we adjust all the dampers because they begin to lift the moment that the key is struck. I understand that the usual setting is for dampers to begin to lift when the key is pressed about half-way. Any thoughts on this, particularly with Baldwin grands, which generally have a richer, fuller sound and heavier touch? I'm reluctant to make such a major change to the instrument given some of the postings I've read on how hard it is to adjust damper timing. He says this adjustment will make it "lighter" to play, offering more responsive key repetitions. He's already done regulation, and will do voicing after adjusting the damper timing. All this seems like a lot of work for a relatively young piano. I wonder whether this is just the way that this piano was set at the Baldwin factory, so does it really need this kind of adjustment? Thanks for any guidance. Cheers.

If the dampers start moving as soon as you press the key, that says the damper levers are resting on ends of the keys. The risk you run is that with any slight change, you could end up with a bunch of "leaking" dampers where the damper never comes down far enough to completely stop the sound.

Past that, I can't imagine why the dampers would have been adjusted that way (unless someone really wanted a heavy touch). Putting them back in the right place will lighten the touch and make play on this instrument more consistent with other pianos.

Rob is correct - if the dampers start to lift right away it will definitely make the touch heavier not lighter. People sometimes adjust them to lift later in the keystroke to lighten the touch.

If the damper to key timing is too far out of spec it will negatively effect legato playing.

Ryan and Rob, thank you for your advice and taking the time to reply. So, "spec" is around halfway depressed, is that the rule of thumb? Am I correct that as long as it's adjusted properly, we shouldn't run the risk of "leaking" dampers?

It sounds like these adjustments are in part to bring it to "spec" and in part to customize it to what one likes to feel and hear.

Cheers.

Sounds to me like your tech knows what needs to be done.
Adjusting dampers is not that difficult.
The dampers should begin to lift when the hammer, not the key is 1/3 to 1/2 travel - not to split hairs but there is a difference.
It is a necessary change that you will appreciate.