voicing mixtures and procedures

[Paul S. Larudee]

zoran grujic wrote:
> 
> 
>     Hi List,
> 
>      my name is Zoran Grujic,I work as piano teacher and technician in
> Yugoslavia.I will have much voicing work on rock-hard hammers in
> old,bad grands in musical school here.I would like to hear some of
> your experiences about hammer softeners (alcohol/water,or some other
> mixture).How much water goes into alcohol?How to apply it?I am also
> interested in shelac hammer hardener,which was in use before
> lacquers.The same questions as before.I checked archives,but didn't
> get all answers about it.
>     Many thanks in advance.Regards,
> 
> 
>                                                              Zoran
> 
> 
> zorang@mgnet.co.yu

Zoran,

Antares' post is a thing of beauty and by far the best procedure to
follow, in my opinion.  However, if you are dealing with deeply grooved
hammers, too many pianos, not enough time and no money at all, I suggest
doing exactly the opposite of what we have all been taught.  Drive the
needles right into the string grooves, halfway to the moulding, if you
can, two to four times per groove, depending on the size of the hammer. 
Instant harshness reduction!  Mind you, I don't recommend it for new
pianos in good condition, and the results don't last as long, but if you
have only 15 minutes per piano, it works and you don't have to worry
about the hammers expanding as with liquids.

For uprights I use a combination tool which can be set at a very acute
angle.  I place the tool against the strings and simply push the hammer
into it.  For grands, the traditional needling method is fine, but I
like to use a single needle motorized rotary tool for better speed, ease
and control, and a through-the-string voicer for touchup.

Paul S. Larudee, RPT
Richmond, CA