Voicing M&H BB

[David Love]

This is a difficult question to answer from afar.  His expectations may
create some problems (wants it to sound like a Yamaha???).  This is not a
great vintage MH and it will need lots of help.  Quite possibly a new set of
hammers as the ones on those models are not good.  Since he has a particular
taste I would go and put some various samples on and let him listen for the
tone he likes.  I personally think those MH's sound best with a softer style
hammer like Steinway or Isaac but that may not agree with the owner's taste.
Good luck.  Sometimes what people want is not in the best interest of the
piano.

David Love

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: October 24, 2001 6:13 PM
Subject: Voicing M&H BB


> Hello Listees. I tuned a 1979 Mason & Hamlin BB (Hand Crafted by American
> Craftmen) today at a small low (like, really low) budget recording studio.
> The young fellow (very enthusiastic) there was very interested in
improving
> his prized piano. The voicing is horrible. His general comments were that
> the bass is excellent and the rest of the piano is too "dark", and "it
> doesn't sound like a Yamaha - will replacing the strings make it
> brighter?" - he wants it brighter. My observations were that the bass is
> very bright and brassy and loud and powerful. That drops right off with
the
> lowest tenor note - very mellow and quiet - as is the rest of the piano -
> except for occassional tinny-bright notes in tenor and treble. The piano
is
> in average shape over-all - it was in a church prior to this guy buying it
4
> years ago (for $4,800).
>
> Anyway, to please this guy, the task is to brighten up all the plain wire
> sections in general, even out the few odd balls, and do something with the
> bass tenor break - it's worse than most spinets (is this common on this
> piano?). It has the little green hammers that M&H (Aeolian) used back in
the
> 60s and 70s (always used???).
>
> I have not done much voicing. I have steamed a fair little bit. I have
stuck
> a few hammers with needles with generally acceptable results. I have never
> tried to make hammers brighter. I have a lot of written material
describing
> how to apply hammer hardener (laquer, etc.). What I am asking here is for
> some input on direction. Is a liquid hardener the way to start, etc.,
etc.?
> Any thoughts are welcome.
>
> I'm not afraid to put a soundboard in a piano, but voicing scares me - I
> can't hold it in my hand, I can't measure it, I can't cut it, I can't glue
> it!
>
> Terry Farrell
>
>