Kawai CA65 / CA95 / Grand Feel tolerance / regulation

Before asking what might look like a very picky question, let me say that the CA65 is a great instrument (please see my post here )

In the spirit of "I don't want to bother the dealer with this if it is common", do any players of grand feel action DPs notice variations from key to key in the height at which the sensors activate?

On my CA65, there is a difference particuarly between middle C and the next door D so that the "dampers" turn off the C about 1mm (by eye) before the D (i.e. with the C about 1mm lower on the upstroke). The main consequence for playing is that you have to be (a bit) more controlled with repeat playing the C if you don't want to hit the "damper" because there is less room between "play" and "damp" on the C. Some other note pairs are similarly affected.

You have to lift the keys very slowly to test for this (I said it was a picky question!)

If this is part of natural variability in the mechanism ("character" - wooden keys and all that) then fine; my concern is whether or not there is a quality issue on my particular piano & where I'd really value replies from other owners.

Cheers

Alan

James ...

;-)

Look what your company has created by making such an excellent instrument with so many ways to adjust things by people like me and others who keep forgetting they did not pay $85,000us for it.

;-)

Just a little early morning humour ...

Unfortunately what I'm asking refers to something that would only be adjustable - I believe - by using physical tools (& therefore a qualified technician). If this were adjustable through the menus, my question wouldn't have made it to this forum.

Cheers

Alan

That's a little troubling. The distance between the damper-up and first velocity sensor is determined by the physical makeup of the sensor, which is a rubber thing on PCB, and doesn't lend itself to physical adjustment.

On these Kawai's there is a screw on the action that determines how far down you have to push the key in order to move the hammer all the way, but that is the only adjustment I'm aware of. It's super easy to get to and alter, but if your instrument is brand new, it is probably better to take it up with the retailer or Kawai so as not to void the warranty.

Thanks gvfarns, so I wonder how far out would be considered normal?

I assume all of the sensor assembly is where the hammers are - so as you say the distances between the sensors are pre-set & it is just the key height relative to the sensors that might be out? At rest it looks level with the adjacent ones.

Cheers

Alan

I don't own one but have not encountered this on other DP's. Maybe it can be adjusted. Perhaps a trip to Kimberskeyboards if they have one in the store to do a comparison? They usually have a few Kawai's in there.

Thanks Spanishbudda. I'm beginning to think I'm just being a bit paranoid. Its a new (substantial) investment and its a bit like the period when you have a new car and it hasn't yet had its first scratch!

Kimber's is where I got the piano from :-). I also have access to my old CL30 at my in-laws so will do some comparisons on that.

Cheers

Alan