Semi-retirement OT was RE: M & H upright

[alan and carolyn barnard]

Hey, Carl. You seem pretty active for a guy who was planning to do some
serious kicking back. <G>

Since you're "not" working so much, are you also "not" going to be in
Kansas City? If you are "not" then "don't" look me up, or should I "not"
look for you in the Chinese section. 

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


> [Original Message]
> From: Carl Meyer <cmpiano@comcast.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 05/15/2005 5:22:51 PM
> Subject: M & H upright
>
> This is a 1903 M H upright that I've restrung after rescaling and just
put 
> on a new set of Ronsen hammers with Bacon felt and soft maple cores.  It
has 
> a pianocorder installed.  My main concern has been to have a piano that 
> plays softly.  After installing about 130 pianocorders the biggest
complaint 
> has been "Its too loud"  "Go in the bathroom if you want to talk"  There
is 
> a normal threshold where the piano won't play.  Pneumatic pianos have the 
> most power at the beginning of the stroke but solenoid driven ones have
the 
> most power at the end and its not linear.  It's not easy to get a
solenoid 
> to perform like a pneumatic.
>
> My intent was to use soft light hammers and reduced stroke to make the
piano 
> play as soft as possible and still function well.
>
> Other ways to reduce volume would be to stuff shag carpet or foam in the 
> back between the posts.
>
> The new hammers were dramatic in reducing the volume.  I may have to
juice 
> it up some.
>
> I reduced the hammer blow to about 1 3/4.  I had to adjust the backcheck
to 
> check at 3/8-1/2 inch to prevent bobbling.  It seems to play okay
manually 
> (I'm not a pianist) but from the pianocorder it still seems to bobble and 
> not repeat right.  the solenoids seem to be adjusted correctly.
>
> This piano has the brass leaf springs on the jacks.  I have come to the 
> conclusion that these springs are causing the butts to dance on the jack
tip 
> since the jack gets in the way due to the springs trying to push the jack 
> back under the butt.  This then causes the unstable operation from the 
> solenoids.
>
> I'm considering removing the leaf springs.  I know they are there to 
> increase repetition, but in this situation I think they are the source of 
> the problem.  Would I need a flame suit if I removed them?  I don't like
hot 
> weather.
>
> Another thing I'm considering is replacing the hammer return springs.  I 
> recall years ago finding that weak return springs will cause bobbling. 
> Dampers are on the list as well.
>
> I just today have contracted to install a pianocorder in a Horugal grand 
> piano.  They want it with a wireless unit from a computer, complete with
a 
> wireless power switch.
>
> I am sure having a ball with this unit.  I can even download some of
Yamahas 
> music and play it on my piano.
>
> Just go to Pianocorder on Google and find out about Mark Fontana's plug
in 
> that converts midi to pianocorder.  I can control tempo, volume and 
> transpose from the mouse.  Lotsa fun and unlimited source of music.
>
> What do youse all think of removing the lead springs??  Thanks
>
> Carl Meyer PTG assoc
> Santa Clara, Ca.
>
>
>
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