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

[Richard Brekne]

I would advise you take a few Stanwood type measurements and try and
further diagnose the problem. A heavy feeling BW of 38 speaks of lots of
mass to me, and perhaps a bit less then optimally distributed. Also you
mention significant variance in UW... which means probably uneven
friction.. Plus you mention tone you associate with heavy hammers... All
this fits well with lots of mass, starting with hammer mass.

Check your Strikeweights, Key Ratio, Whippen Radius Weight, and Front
Weights for a few select samples and post them. In anycase, I would do
this before deciding on the next step.

David Renaud wrote:

> Steinway D.. new hall...new Steinway hammers,
> Piano is 8years old.
>
> A440-----downweight 48 upweight 28
> It feels heavy.
> I only took a few readings. There is quite
> a bit a variation on upweight from hammer to hammer.
>
> Top end has a tone I usually associate with heavy
> hammers....TAAA....doesn't sing.
>
>      I have not worked with Steinway hammers,
> but understand they need lots of juice in stages.
> I have taken a Steinway convention class on voicing
> the Steinway hammer, and have ratios for mixtures
> at each stage, but not yet done this on Steinway
> hammers myself. I have been spoiled, and dependent
> on Abels that don't require much work.
>
>    This piano was purchased out of town, so I'm not
> sure precisely what has been done so far to the
> hammers.
>
>    There is not much of a "bullet" shape on the
> hammers. My gut tells be to go for it and start
> juicing the top end. But first I have to tweak a few
> things and see what I can get. Probably should bring
> in the local arts center tech. and consult.
>
>   Does this sound typical for a new set of
> Steinway hammers. Would you advise I let them break
> them in for a few weeks while I fix other things,
> (no drop here and there, little bit excessive blow
> distance...bullet shape top end hammers...so on)
> String needs to be leveled.... new sting.
> Bass and mid sounds great.
>
> Just fishing the pool of experience.
>
>                            Dave Renaud
>                            RPT
>
>
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--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway
mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no