"D" new hall/new st.hammers..hmmm.

[David Ilvedson]

Newton,

If what you say is true?  There are a lot of dead soundboards out there...

Certainly the piano needs its regulation in order before doping...check
strikepoint...

David I.

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 10/1/01 at 11:36 AM Newton Hunt wrote:

>An important test to do before beginning any work on any piano is to
>determine what it's tonal potential is.  
>
>I use the following tests.
>
>1.  With a decent unison play A5 a medium hard blow and time the
>duration of the sound.  12 seconds and below is a dead or dying
>soundboard, anything over 15 seconds is a good lively soundboard.  This
>is not a definitive test but it is one that is an indicator of what you
>re contending with.
>
>2.  In the higher treble play a note and then pluck one string of that
>unison with your finger nail or a small pick of some kind.  It really
>doesn't matter because what you are listening for is a change in tone
>quality.  If plucking the string and playing the note produce the same
>tone quality then you get what you hear and will not be able to get any
>more out of that note except louder clang.  On the other hand if you do
>get a distinct improvement in tone quality by plucking the strings there
>is potential for the piano and judicious hardening can bring out that
>additional good tone and volume.
>
>Bear in mind that sustain and loudness are opposite ends of the same
>stick, you give up one for the other.  It is another of the many
>compromises that are made in every step of our work.
>
>If it ain't there you won't get it, just the same but louder.
>
>		Newton