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Hello,

I'd like to know if the action on a Kawai grand can be
regulated to feel lighter. I understand Yamaha grand
action is basically as is. No room for adjusting the
weights. How about Kawai grand? It is this grand
piano my friend bought and now he feels the key touch
is heavier than he would like it to be. Can he ask
a tech to work on it to make lighter?


Kin

Yes, the tech doing the work will first work on reducing the friction wherever possible, ease the keys, check the hammer/damper timing. If that doesn't work, then he might possibly consider the installation of lead weights. However, this presents its own set of problems including creating heavier inertia and possibly affecting the action upweight. When I did it in one case, I actually sawed the leads(in this case, the standard jiffy leads)in half and installed close far enough away from the key front so as not to adversely affect the upweight.

Mark Mandell www.pianosource.com

Any standard grand or vertical piano can have its action regulated to feel lighter or heavier. Does not matter what brand.......Sam

To expand on what Sam said - regulation is always done before changing weights - A poorly regulated action can't be accurately checked for downweight or upweight consider the following:


reduce tension on springs if possible
adjust dampers to lift later if possible
add a bit of lost motion
lube all friction points
ease and lube keys
file hammers
remove wood from hammer moldings

Worn action parts will change key touch and weight and should be replaced before changing weights.

Key weights should be the last option to adjust touch, not the first.

Ask your friend to measure the hammer distance, i.e., the vertical distance from the crown of the hammer to the underside of the strings. If this distance exceeds 1-3/4", turn the capstan screw to raise the hammer so the hammer distance is about 1-3/4". Do it in moderation. You may also need to readjust the hammer drop to 1/8" from the strings by turning the drop screw and the letoff distance to 1/16" from the strings by turning the letoff button. If these adjustments are done properly, the action should feel lighter.

Raising the hammers by as little as 1/8" will produce a noticeable reduction in how 'heavy' the action feels. However, there is a caveat, the attack sound may be less pronounced (especially in the bass) after the hammers are raised because they will be striking the strings at a (slightly) reduced velocity.

Eric