Voicing reply

[Billbrpt]

In a message dated 98-03-01 10:30:31 EST, you write:

<< Sounds like legal litigation may be in order if the tuner took it on
himself to make these changes. Even if not, a botched job is still grounds for
swelling the pockets of the lawyers :-)
 Jon Page >>

Getting lawyers and courts involved over issues of piano tone is patently
absurd.  There is probably enough good felt left for a skilled technician to
reconstitute the tone.

I suggest that the advice some of the others have given be followed.  Approach
tone regulation from the beginning.  Make sure that your action regulation and
alignment are all correct first.  Then refile the hammers very carefully.
Listen to what this produces.  If you prefer ironing to chemicals, fine but it
may not be effective in this case.

     I suggest using light concentrations of hardener, whatever is your
preference and build up the tone gradually.  You will need to wait until the
hardener is completely cured before you make your judgment about whether
another application is in order.  For this reason, I suggest a quickly
evaporating solvent such as acetone.  You can use a hair dryer if you want to
accelerate the process, leave the action in a very warm room with a fan
blowing on it or put it outside under a warm sun.

    If you use light concentrations, you can and should not be afraid to get
the hardener into the striking surface area.  You will need to needle the tone
back down some afterwards however if you do.  This will also involve needling
in the striking surface area.  This is basically the way Steinway voicers
currently work.

    Keep in mind that the Mason & Hamlin usually has and is known for a mellow
tone.  If this is a living room piano, you won't really want it to be very
bright unless the customer really insists upon that.  It should not be very
difficult for you to undo the mistake the other technician made.  Don't
badmouth the other guy, just say that you understand what and how it happened
and that you know what to do about it.  You and the customer will benefit by
the basic and methodical practice of voicing techniques.

    Bill Bremmer RPT
    Madison, Wisconsin