Voicing reply

[Mike Masters]

David ilvedson wrote:

> > > > I have recently taken on a new customer with a new Mason &
> > > > Hamlin Grand, Model A.  The previous technician has apparently
> > > > needled the hammers(Renner blue) to death and the tone is very
> > > > lacking.  Any suggestions as ways to bring them back up.  I have
> > > > lightly filed and lacquered(6 to 1) but still not much
> > > > improvement.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks in advance...
> > > >
> > > > ilvey
> > > > Pacifica, CA
> > > > ilvey@a.crl.com

Something I don't quite understand. Did this technician decide that he 
needed to change the tone of the piano, or is this something that the 
customer decided to have done?
	There is a tech in the area here who takes it upon himself to make the 
decision of voicing (and has upset a few of my new  customers)
	Voicing is very personal. Not every person is going to like the same 
sound or tone. I guess thats why some people buy German pianos and 
others buy japanese, or korean, or American for that matter. Now there 
are more differences than that. I even see two of the same make and 
model of the same piano (same color even) on the dealer floor, but they 
don't sound even remotely close. But you will get people that will 
choose one over the other.
	The only one that really gets me is when a customer calls and says they 
want their (just an example) Henry Miller spinet to sound like their 
neighbors 7' Bosendorfer. Its hard not to laugh sometimes.
	As far as voicing the Renner Hammers. You're on the right track with 
Rick Baldassin. Attended a class at a state convention a few years ago 
on voicing the hammers. They definitely don't need much needling. I can 
see how easy it would to be to ruin a set of new Renner Blues. I love 
the sound though. Great hammers to work with. I have them in my old 
steinway upright.
	I guess it comes back to the question that someone asked why would you 
want to change the tone of a new M&H. There very nice sounding 
instruments even right off the dealer floor. Maybe a note or two that 
may need to be toned down. Unless the customer wanted a different sound. 
But from what I'm gathering, its a new piano and the tone has been 
changed and the customer isn't happy with the new sound, then.......I'm 
going to just guess that the tech decided to change it himself. 

Mike Masters
Masters Piano Service
Lakewood, OH