Hello all,
I have used the PitchLock Couplers quite a bit and found that while they
don't solve the problem completely, they offer a better assist than the
other alternatives such as glue, string, felt, etc. Less sustain seems to
be robbed and more of the color of the note remains while a good deal of the
irritating noise can be diminished in most cases. (Not every time, but most
of the time!)
There is a bit of a learning curve on installing them quickly and
efficiently. Don't give up! You might find it worth the time. Be sure they
are snug enough that they are not causing an additional problem. Good luck!
Jeannie Grassi
Bainbridge Island, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Sloane, Benjamin (sloaneba)
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 4:00 AM
To: 'Cramer at BrandonU.CA'; 'caut at ptg.org'
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Capo hardening
Hello Mark and Joe,
One thing I noticed that Mark mentioned was:
"Muting the front duplex segment of an offending note stopped the metallic
zinging sounds, but also robbed a great deal of the musical content of the
note."
Though I am certain someone already mentioned this, it would be
impossible not to notice a few technicians around here have determined that
installing "Pitch Lock Piano String Couplers" (www.PitchLock.com) in the
front duplex segment ameliorates the same problems in this process without
as much robbing the musical content of the notes. I have not yet formed a
firm conviction about this, however.
- Ben
-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Cramer, Mark
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:42 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Capo hardening
Thanks Joe,
well I not so much want to coerce our suppliers/manufacturers, as to
mobilize ourselves.
Anyhow, I had a piano with severe metalic noise in the capo sections. The
worst notes also lacked power, compared to neighhboring notes.
Muting the front duplex segment of an offending note stopped the metallic
zinging sounds, but also robbed a great deal of the musical content of the
note.
Reshaping the capo to restore the profile and remove string cuts made an
immediate improvement, however the improvement would only last a very short
time.
In fact, I could hear the noise returning almost as quickly as I tuned, and
removing the strings (again) confirmed that the grooves were back. So, in
short form, that's how I came to believe the capo surface was too soft.
Likewise, in hardening the capo, I wasn't trying to create something, just
fix a problem. I was trying to restore *normal* hardness, whatever that
might be.
The initial project was a success, with full power of notes restored
throughout the section, and only minor noise from some notes, typical of
what we often hear, and musicians don't.
Since then I've tried several different methods of capo hardening, all of
which seem to be succesful, but vary in preparation and finishing time.
There are also a variety of opinions on how hard a capo should be... as hard
as the string, harder than the string, etc. and I won't get into that... I
really don't know.
So my parameters are still pretty simple:
1.) I too am likely opposed to hardening a capo, unless of course it needs
it. (symptoms described above)
(In which case, I am likely opposed to someone suggesting that this
musically defeating condition could not/should not be repaired)
String noise and capo condition has just become one of those things I look
for when assessing a piano for re-stringing.
2.) Finding the right welder (it ain't me!) is essential, and it's good idea
to have them demonstrate technique on something non-critical first.
As to what I aim for:
3.) The capo needs to be harder than it was before, and we need a way to
prove it.
(hammering a peice of music wire over the apex without leaving a dent may
prove the capo is harder than the string, or perhaps hardening to the point
of being unable to file the surface may be enough... I've used both)
4.) Ultimately, the hardness should be evident when re-stringing, (you will
notice the strings move sideways freely) in that the noise is gone, the
power has returned, and the results are lasting.
5.) More recently, as we experiment with a variety of less invasive
techniques (don't ask... we're not there quite yet!), I'm becoming open to
the idea of hardening every capo, to a measureable degree (i.e.: the file
test) as a matter of pre-stringing service, along with agraffee and bridge
preparationg.
I hope this information is helpful Joe.
I've consulted with many people over several years before attempting this,
and am thankful to them all. You may find discussions in the CAUT archives.
Ron Overs is a remarkable resource, and there should be some good reading on
his web-site.
best regards,
Mark C.
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Wiencek <jwpiano at earthlink.net>
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 23:29:34 -0400
Subject: [CAUT] Capo hardening
Hi Mark,
I found your post interesting about getting a posse to petition
manufacturers to conform to the changing demands of technicians. I was
struck by one thing you mentioned about hardening the capos. I had
just hosted Ed McMorrow in NYC for a seminar, and his stance is
definitely in opposition to hardening the capo. Can you enlighten me
as to what end you aim for in the hard capo? I'm asking from a point
of ignorance.
Thanks,
Joe Wiencek, Vice President, PTG NYC Chapter 101
jwpiano at earthlink.net
tel: 551 358 4006
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Wiencek <jwpiano at earthlink.net>
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 23:29:34 -0400
Subject: [CAUT] Capo hardening
Hi Mark,
I found your post interesting about getting a posse to petition
manufacturers to conform to the changing demands of technicians. I was
struck by one thing you mentioned about hardening the capos. I had
just hosted Ed McMorrow in NYC for a seminar, and his stance is
definitely in opposition to hardening the capo. Can you enlighten me
as to what end you aim for in the hard capo? I'm asking from a point
of ignorance.
Thanks,
Joe Wiencek, Vice President, PTG NYC Chapter 101
jwpiano at earthlink.net
tel: 551 358 4006
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