Solid Pianos

[Joseph Garrett]

Terry,
You are not having "Acid Flashbacks"! There are pianos that really do have a
"Soul". At least for a few of us, we encounter them all too seldom, but they
do exist.
Joe Garrett
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2001 4:27 PM
Subject: Solid Pianos


> I did not know what to write as the subject of this post. This morning I
> tuned one of my favorite pianos in the whole world: a 1910s, 1920s Baldwin
> R. Absolutely magnificent piano. Restrung four years ago at the local
> Steinway dealer (new block). Original board and bridges. I refurbished the
> action a couple years ago and put on new Abel hammers, shanks, and
flanges.
>
> My point here is that there is something about this piano that I have only
> heard/felt/sensed in a few other pianos -  most notably, Steinways. There
is
> a super solid and connected feeling you get when you hit the key, feel the
> hammer hit the string, feel the impact with your knee under the keybed,
and
> hear the solid tone of the note. The sensation is a combination of hearing
> and feeling with your knee, your finger, your feet, etc. (I wish I could
> explain it better). There is a solid connection/feeling between the
hitting
> of the key and the sounding of the note that incorporates the whole piano,
> the floor, etc. I play my very lovely, great sounding, great playing,
Boston
> grand and it does not happen. It plays very nice. It sounds very nice. But
> you cannot connect with the inner spirit of the piano like you can with
this
> Baldwin - and a few Steinways that I service.
>
> In light of recent posts on unbushed tuning pins, I should point out that
> this Baldwin does not have tuning pin bushings. My Boston is kinda like
> driving a Cadillac with an automatic transmission: very, very nice - what
a
> pleasure to drive. This Baldwin is like driving a finely tuned and
> well-prepped Lamborghini - may not be good to sleep in while driving, but
> OH, what a ride!!!
>
> Am I having an acid flashback, or are some pianos like this??? What is it
I
> am sensing??? Should I cut out the few shots of Jack before my
> appointments???
>
> ;-)
>
> With Great Spirits (piano that is)
> Terry Farrell
>
>
>