[CAUT] Black on Black... Optivisor

[Alan McCoy]

Hi Jim,

As to your original issue of actually seeing the parts in question, have you
tried an Optivisor? I just recently got one and it is a very well-designed
and useful tool. Very comfortable, exchangeable lenses, optional light and a
reasonable price. Check it out at:

 http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog
&Type=Product&ID=18108SP

-- Alan McCoy, RPT
Eastern Washington University
amccoy at mail.ewu.edu
509-359-4627


> From: Tim Coates <tcoates1 at sio.midco.net>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:31:58 -0500
> To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Black on Black... (Jack alignment)
> 
> Fred,
> 
> I would be interested in knowing if you experience the same issues I
> think Chris Soliday eluded to:  the jack back versus the jack forward
> affects speed.  I agree that .5mm is a great deal of discrepancy and
> should not be there.  I deal with a number of Van Cliburn finalists and
> students from TCU (yes here in the Dakotas).  One of their obsessions
> is speed of repetition.   I see how what you are doing can be used with
> my methods.
> 
> I am always trying to tweak the performance instruments in my care and
> I find jacks to be critical to the condition of the piano.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Tim Coates
> 
> On Aug 9, 2007, at 3:12 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:
> 
>>         Yes, I agree, a .5 mm difference in alignment (one jack that
>> much farther forward than its neighbors, for example) is readily
>> noticeable to a sensitive pianist (and that is the pianist we cauts
>> are working for, or so I like to believe when I'm not in a cynical
>> mood <G>). As is a difference in setup of all jacks of the same
>> dimension. One of my piano profs recently complained about "lack of
>> positive feel" on her piano. What had I done? Adjusted the jacks
>> forward a bare smidgen, thinking it was too much resistance (letoff
>> was too noticeable). I moved them back. She's happy. 
>>        Now your everyday amateur probably won't notice that
>> difference. And it only really shows up when everything is pretty well
>> refined. But "everything being pretty well refined" is a function of
>> obsessive attention to many details, of which this is just one. The
>> total effect is VERY noticeable to just about anyone who can play a
>> piano. So I don't like to take the attitude that something is "good
>> enough for the average bloke." It's not that much harder to get every
>> single unison dead on and solid on every single piano, to give a
>> different example. And the total effect of that is very noticeable
>> also.
>> Regards,
>> Fred Sturm
>> University of New Mexico
>> fssturm at unm.edu
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Aug 9, 2007, at 10:56 AM, Don Mannino wrote:
>> 
>>> Ed,
>>>  
>>> As far as the disagreements go, I'll stay out of it.
>>>  
>>> Based on your statement about pianists feeling jack alignment, I must
>>> respectfully disagree. Most pianists with reasonable skill will feel
>>> .5mm misalignment, but will not be able to identify it as such. It is
>>> very important to be very even, although the exact best location
>>> might be debatable.
>>>  
>>> Don Mannino
>>> 
>>>> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
>>>> Of Ed Sutton
>>>> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 9:04 AM
>>>> To: College and University Technicians
>>>> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Black on Black... (Jack alignment)
>>>> 
>>>> Tim and Fred-
>>>>  
>>>> Let's see.
>>>>  
>>>> You guys are disagreeing about the exact placement of 88 little
>>>> sticks in a 900 pound box.
>>>>  
>>>> By the time you're done with your adjustments, the result may be the
>>>> same, or may even vary as much as .7mm!
>>>>  
>>>> If there is a difference, probably 2 piano technicians in 300 could
>>>> feel it, maybe 1 pianist in 300.
>>>>  
>>>> Sounds like a good topic for a Blood Feud! ;-)
>>>>  
>>>> When I think about the stuff other people do, I think we are pretty
>>>> lucky to be worrying about jack/knuckle alignment.
>>>>  
>>>> Anyway, I am grateful for folks who are so passionate about this
>>>> work.
>>>>  
>>>> Ed Sutton