----- Original Message ----- From: "alan and carolyn barnard" <tune4u@earthlink.net> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 3:43 PM Subject: Semi-retirement OT was RE: M & H upright > Hey, Carl. You seem pretty active for a guy who was planning to do some > serious kicking back. <G> I'm too tired to kick back. I just don't kick as high as I used to. I'm like the guy who went fishing and didn't put any bait on the hook cause he didn't want to be bothered. Actually, I feel a bit better these days > 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. I didn't know there would be a chinese section. When did that start? I'm not racially prejudiced, but hey!!! We can't all be German now can we?? Have a great convention!! I'll kick back here, closer to home. Cheers everyone. Carl Meyer PTG assoc Santa Clara, Ca. > 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. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > > > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >
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