Setting let-off on a grand piano can be a slow and tiresome process: hunching over the stretcher, peering past the dampers and through the strings to judge let-off distance, then looking under the pinblock to place the tool on the adjusting screw, then leaning forward again to watch as you make the adjustment. All the while you must "squeeze" the key gradually to slow hammer movement enough that you can accurately see the let-off point.

This jig makes the job faster, more consistent, and physically much easier by allowing you to work while sitting on the piano bench, with the action pulled out on the keybed. You can then work with your back straight, with perfect visibility and tool access, playing each key at normal light playing speed while you make the adjustment. Our Keybed Action Support is especially useful when using this jig.

How it works: After setting a few samples in the traditional way, with the action in the piano, the action is pulled out until the hammers are out from under the stretcher. The jig is placed under one section of hammershanks, and adjusted until the sample shanks just barely wink when their keys are played. Then, one by one each key is played. If let-off is correct, a hammershank will barely wink and click against the jig as the jack escapes, brushing the knuckle. If the hammer does not wink, let-off is too wide, and if a hammer jumps noticeably, let-off is too close. After let-off is adjusted, the jig is removed and drop can be adjusted by a simple visual procedure with the action in the same position on the keybed (instructions included with the let-off jig).

This jig is very simple to set up, and works on any grand action. Made of aluminum channel, it is 18" long. Price: $36.00 To download instructions in Adobe Acrobat pdf format, click icon below. Grand Acton Let-Off Jig (79 KB file) Copyright © 2006 Spurlock Specialty Tools