new hammers

[Newton Hunt]

Hi Dave,

The problem with that piano and every other S&S B out there is that there is a
fundamental flaw in soundboard / rib design.  The soundboard in the weak area is
not stiff enough and from what you say about the rest of the piano it needs
rebuilding and by someone who understands the soundboard issues and knows how to
rib the new panel so the problem disappears.

You can demonstrate this to the customer by plucking strings.  If you get a
different tone from plucking than with the hammer it is the hammer.  If the tone
does not change it is the board and there is nothing you can do about it.  You
need to pluck hard so use a guitar pick or something similar.

Your experiment with the hammers was an excellent one.  One little thing you can
try is to get some solder, thin stuff, and wrap a bunch of it around the shank
and molding until you get a tone change, then measure the up and down weight
with and without the weight.  This too will make the point to the customer.

I like that one, change the road. :)

Search the archives for "Killer Octave" to get more information.

		Newton