Phone messasge about S&S

[harvey]

Here's an update, probably the only one until I actually see the customer
again.

Due to local circumstances, there was no way I could personally check on
this in a timely fashion. I contacted a colleague who is closer to the
client. I detailed information about both the piano and the client (demands
and expectations). The tech asked about charges. I suggested that the
client should be responsible -- unless the cause was something I could have
done wrong during my last visit. Below is an edited (for readability)
version of the tech's E-mail to me following the call.

---
It was 10:30 PM when I got home last night so I didn't call you.  I went to
her house at 8:30.  She was very sweet and said the noises started Tuesday
after an especially heavy handed student.  I couldn't hear any rattling
type noises and she described it as a metallic sound when the hammer struck
the strings.  There were a few bass notes and a few in the capo section.  I
did some string leveling, needling and moved the strings in the capo to
knock off burrs.  I charged her $60 for a service call because these things
were not your doing and explained to her that her hammers really should be
replaced and you would know if the capo needs dressing.  She seemed OK when
I left, but you will get the real dope later.
---
My take:
Point 1. After talking to the client (before service call), tech said that
client could stop the noise by touching the plate. We discussed things like
the (always lowered) lid prop, etc. It's strange that the follow-up report
did not touch on this issue.
Point 2. Indeed, the hammers do need replacement. I have shaped them two
times since acquiring the client, and don't know how many shapings were
done before that. The last time, it was a 'driveway' operation in the cold,
and since I couldn't feel my hands (or the hammers) I didn't do a good job
at squaring the hammers. I've been chasing that mistake ever since. At
least now, client has another small grand in the same room, otherwise until
now THE piano is never off-line long enough for serious work. Still, I
don't quite understand how this equates to the original phone complaint...
"horrible buzzing sound on many notes". Phasing sounds, yes, but not
'horrible buzzing'. Maybe the hammers are finally over-centering enough to
be exciting the wrong string segments, and the resulting effect.. "sounds
like"(?) That was a question, not a statement.
Point 3. Of course the capo needs dressing... I did mention this is an S&S,
right?

Regards, and Happy Thanksgiving.








Jim Harvey, RPT
Greenwood, SC
harvey@greenwood.net
________________________
 -- someone who's been in the field too long.