Boston Hammers, was: Interesting Piano Belly - Mehlin Grand

[Farrell]

It's amazing how different hammers can be. My 1993 Boston (5' 10") is a fairly mellow piano. I got it used when it was five years old or so - so I don't know what may have been done to the hammers. I wonder if the supplier has changed. I have never voiced them.

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@cox.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 9:32 AM
Subject: Re: Interesting Piano Belly - Mehlin Grand


> 
> >I think I know what you're saying--but I'm not totally sure.  Anyway, I
> >ended up voicing this particular Boston with pliers.  I really hate doing it
> >that way, it seems sort of vulgar.  But I couldn't get a needle into the
> >thing to save my life.  The pliers actually worked pretty well.  One squeeze
> >at 10:00 and one at 2:00 and the hammers sounded more like sandstone than
> >granite.  Yes, that was an improvement.
> >
> >David Love
> 
> David,
> This lady had been unhappy with the hard sound since she bought it. Since 
> she wasn't complaining about the Hamilton in the basement that, to me, hurt 
> just as bad to listen to, I suggested we brass brush the hammer with the 
> tuning for a couple of rounds to temporarily and non destructively take 
> some of the pain out see if she could meet it half way before we waded into 
> any major voicing work. I was trying to get some idea of her preferences 
> and tolerances before doing something that I might consider an improvement, 
> but she might consider a disaster. The brushing's affect is temporary, 
> she's not making her peace with the sound, and come what may, she's ready 
> for the next step. I think the pliers are a tad inelegant too, but I'd 
> resort to them if I had to. I intend to steam them into the approximate 
> range, or rather out of the inappropriate range, and minimally needle as 
> necessary to smooth and blend. Just removing the pain should make her day, 
> and we'll see what's left to work with when the clang is gone. Then maybe 
> we'll talk about that Hamilton.
> 
> Ron N
>