[CAUT] Baldwin Accujust

[Dr. Henry Nicolaides]

Hi list,  I'll try again...

Why not mute or subdue the back lengths while tuning.  It improves clarity with aural tuning and when using an ETD some of the erratic movements are diminished or eliminated making it visually easier to hit the target, stop the lights, etc  whatever device you might be using.  Then take the mutes off the back lengths and let the sound resound, unless you have tuned duplexes.  I have a Bluthner that I've routinely muted the aliquoit strings while tuning the usual strings.  Then one by one pulled the mutes when tuning it.  Workes for me (sometimes).

Henry Nicolaides
Southern Illinois University, Piano Technician
Carbondale, Illinois 62901

email: henryn at siu.edu

> From: tannertuner at bellsouth.net
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Date: Fri, 1 May 2009 11:12:31 -0400
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Baldwin Accujust
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Brekne" <ricb at pianostemmer.no>
> To: <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 7:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Baldwin Accujust
> 
> 
> Hi Jeff... just hazarding a bit of speculative here... but it could be
> that the long and obviously very active back lengths combined with the
> vertical hitch pin contrive in your instrument, and perhaps some others
> to get some plate ring resonant frequency going.  That can be very
> objectionable indeed.  Tho I wouldn't imagine it had much to do with the
> vertical hitch pin per sé.   I'd suggest muting off the back lengths
> with heavy felt.... At least it might be worth a try if you haven't
> already done that.
> 
> Hi Ric,
> I've noticed the same effect on every Accujust Baldwin grand I've ever 
> tuned. Yes, that is also what I suspect the noise is that I hear.  My 
> assumption is that the strike vibration does travel across the bridge 
> exciting the back lengths, traveling down the vertical hitch and resonating 
> in the plate.  I never muted the back length, because I was respecting what 
> I assumed to be the result of the intended design.  I've never been a fan of 
> muting either "non-speaking" length, because while it does help with 
> eliminating some tones which sound objectionable up close, it absolutely 
> kills the overall tone and projection to an audience.  I suppose it would be 
> ok for a practice or teaching instrument in a small space.  But in 
> "performance" situations, including classrooms and churches, it's something 
> I wouldn't really want to do.  It only bothers me, and I expect its 
> something players wouldn't particularly notice unless it were pointed out to 
> them.
> 
> I'm not at the university anymore, so I don't see these instruments on a 
> daily basis like I used to.  I'm back to rarely seeing Accujust Baldwin 
> artist grands at all (other than maybe 5 tunings a year).  But while I was 
> there, it was real drudgery to have to tune through that noise, only to 
> result in what I always thought was disappointing tone. To me, they didn't 
> sound much better in tune than out.
> 
> Jeff 
> 
> 
> 

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