Voicing

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Rogerio:

Clear gloss lacquer mixed with 4 parts of thinner to 1 Lac. usually is a
good starting point. For a vertical piano, you can take the action out 
and turn it up on end. With an eye dropper place a drop or two on the 
side of the hammer which you push out in front of the other hammers. Try 
to put the lac. near the peak of the wood moulding. It will creep up 
toward the hammer surface. Stop applying lac. before it wicks up to the 
surface. Then turn the action on the other end and repeat the process.

This procedure avoids getting the lac on the striking surface of the 
hammer. Of course the top octave or more may need lac. right on the surface.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Sat, 28 Feb 1998, Rogerio Cunha wrote:

> Jim. Could you explain better how to use the lacquer. I would like to know
> because I am with a problem like this. The piano is an upright Beckstein
>  Germany)  changed the hammers that was very very bad. I bought Imadegawa
> hammers (part #242JMNBS from APSCO) and applied the new set without problems
> but the piano seems with few sound and soundboard, downbearing, height of
> the action  everything is OK. I would like to try use something in order to
> put it with better sound. Could you or anyone help me. Where and what type
> of lacquer I must to buy? Rogerio Cunha - IC Member of the Guild - Rio de
> Janeiro - Brasil
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: Jim Coleman, Sr. <pianotoo@IMAP2.ASU.EDU>
> Para: David ilvedson <ilvey@a.crl.com>
> Cc: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Data: Sábado, 28 de Fevereiro de 1998 01:28
> Assunto: Re: Voicing
> 
> 
> >Hi David:
> >
> >There are cases where 3 to 1 thinner to lacquer may be needed. I once in
> >my ignorance mixed 4 sanding sealer to 1 thinner. Actually I was
> >providentially over-ruled because that was exactly what that piano needed.
> >It was the Phoenix Symphony D. Of course I had to do a lot of needle work
> >but it turned out to be a piano which everyone loved. So, what can you
> lose?
> >the hammers are dead now. There is something nice about sanding sealer, you
> >can get the needles out easier. It is never quite as hard as solid clear
> >lacquer and it does break up easier.
> >
> >I like to apply lacquer (or even keytop solution) to the flat sides of the
> >hammers. This makes sure that the hardness is applied down low over the
> >moulding where it does the most good for power. Then you don't need to
> >work so much on the top of the hammer to eliminate that hard crust.
> >
> >Jim Coleman, Sr.
> >
> >On Fri, 27 Feb 1998, 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
> >>
> 
>