on needling old upright hammers

[Corte Swearingen]

Hello,

When I bought my Yamaha U1 about 6 years ago, I loved that fact that the
tone was bright.  However, over the past few years, I've come to really
appreciate a much more mellow piano tone.  My Yamaha U1 hammers are like
little pieces on concrete.  In fact, I've been very limited in needling
them the traditional way because the needles bend and break before they get
too far into the hammer.

About 8 months ago, I posted to the list about my interest in really
bringing down the tone and loudness of my U1.  After carefully considering
all the feedback I received, I decided to use a 50/50 alcohol/water
solution.  I really soaked the hammers - sides, crown, everything.  Once
everything dried (about 24 hours), I was surprised at how subdued the tone
was.  In fact, I got a little scared as I thought I might have overdone it.
The piano sounded muffled and I couldn't get any power out of it.  But,
after about three months of playing, it slowly came back up and now, the
tone is again pretty harsh and bright.  About a month ago, I again applied
a 50/50 alcohol/water solution but this time just a little on the
shoulders.  After it dried, there was almost no noticeable difference.  I'm
still wanting to bring down the bright tone and loudness but now I'm
thinking (after reading these posts), that a little needling in the crown
area might be the trick (although all voicing seems very temporary).

For hammers that are extremely hard (i.e., Asian piano hammers), is it safe
to take a 3-needle voicing tool and just really needle the crown to about a
3/16" depth?  What do seasoned voicers think about this?  I can't imagine
that softening the crown to a depth of 3/16" will do any harm.  All the
felt below 3/16" will still be hard and compacted.  I know this is not
normally recommended but, if the hammer is very hard, is it a viable
option?

In my case, not only do I want to mellow the tone, but I also want to
decrease the loudness.  Maybe the only real option to replace the hammers.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Corte Swearingen
Chicago


                                                                                                        
                      "David M.                                                                         
                      Porritt"                 To:       <pianotech@ptg.org>                            
                      <dporritt@mail.sm        cc:                                                      
                      u.edu>                   Subject:  RE: on needling old upright hammers            
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                      07/16/2004 03:15                                                                  
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Julia:


I think the most effective voicing work is done at the crown, but not deep.
Make a soft surface over a hard core and you'll get the widest tonal
spectrum.  It's great that you can learn this stuff on your own piano.


dave


PS, your last post about your rates tells me that this is now how you are
making your living.  Right?
__________________________________________


David M. Porritt, RPT


Meadows School of the Arts


Southern Methodist University


Dallas, TX 75275






----- Original message ---------------------------------------->
From: <Alpha88x@aol.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Received: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 15:36:49 EDT
Subject: on needling old upright hammers



Greetings,

             We were told in piano tech school NOT to needle hammers right
on the crown. Upon arriving home from 9 months at tech school, I was
Jones-ing to refurbish my old upright and needle the hammers in my Yamaha
U3, as the tone was harsh on both pianos.

              Well, I first did the old upright's hammers. Needled the
"shoulders of the hammers careful to not go near the crowns. Put the action
back in the piano and I heard hardly no change. That horrible harsh,
explosive, glassy sound prevailed. So, I decided to slightly needle just a
few of the offenders alittle closer to the crown. No difference...tried
alittle further into the crowns....To make a long story short, I didn't
alleviate the harsh tone till I deeply pounded the needle right in the
crowns of the things! What gives?

               I got the results I wanted, namely a more mellow tone, but
only when I did exactly what I was told NOT to do.

Julia Gottchall,
Reading, PA