Voicing of high bass on Steinway L

[David Love]

When I've had the scales recalculated, the changes that seem to need to be
made are often the tensions in the plain wire section of the low tenor to a
greater degree than the wrapped tension in the high bass.  Lowering the
tension in the high bass to match what is often a too low tension in the low
tenor doesn't seem like a good solution to me.  When restringing the bass on
these instruments, consider having the scale recalculated and altering a few
of the lower notes in the plain wire section of the tenor as part of the
job.  That, combined with a blending of the wrapped strings and a change to
the monchords that almost always needs to be done from the original, can
help the tenor/bass transition and the low bass quality.  Mass loading at
these transition points can help too. 

 

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Erwinspiano at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 6:34 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: Voicing of high bass on Steinway L

 

In a message dated 3/8/2006 8:57:55 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
bjsilva001 at comcast.net writes:

HI Dale, 

 

  Because I  was very long time client Danny has been receptive to my
request for raising the tension in this area  on many sets but not with any
enthusiasm & this is why I went to the Arledge strings & that's OK with him.


However, GC alters the string tension in the high range (to be lower) and I
was suspicious this might contribute to my distaste for the tone. From what
Danny at GC told me, Steinway continues the high tension in the L.

  Ok

.So, in another attempt I just ordered some Mapes, which I assumed (perhaps
wrongly!) would follow the default Steinway tensions. I am hoping to have a
better chance at reproducing that relatively terrific sound from the L I ran
across, which I have just received permission to examine next Tuesday. I'll
let you know what I turn up if you're interested.

  Just  measure the i.ds & o.d.s from the original set of strings that you
like the sound of and ask Jim Arledge to make them & he will

 

As for the piano in question, the hammers are fairly old, maybe even
originals (from 1925). Nice felt, old-ish but better quality than what comes
on Steinways now. I personally don't have a problem with the tone of notes
27-29, in fact the "original" strings on this piano had an acceptable
transition from A25-B27 - it was just the Bb26 that had a bad sound. I
actually just heard a new model O on Monday, which also suffered a similar
sound on Bb26, but A25 and below were fairly nice.

  German O?

 

If you have any voicing advice I would really love to hear it! I am
competent at superficial voicing, but not much more. I'm looking for a less
punchy attack and a warmer-full-bodied tone. I tried a bit of needling on
the shoulders, which improved the tone a bit, but I'm afraid of over-voicing
so I didn't do too much.

  John, I'm still unclear as to what hammers your using but in any case I'll
say there usually isn't anything wrong with recent Steinway Hammers except
operator errors or possibly to hard from the factory.  Yup some are to hard
but usually the problem is they need to be brought up which works in your
favor. IMO.

   But in general all 26 note bass pianos,  without wrapped strings on the
tenor bridge, will suffer from low tensions in the  note 27 -30ish range &
because of this the sound will always suffer if the hammers is too hard .
Hammers must be flexible enough to prevent tonal distortions from being
prevalent..  I you are working with original hammers they were very light
which is another clue.  The hammers can not be to heavy whatever you use.

  As for the recent and always maligned factory Steinway hammer, in general
I have had very good sets lately. However I always single needle test some
the hammers  to check the felt density.  If  too hard I send them back. But
the density & weight has been quite good lately & tone after shaping is in
the ball park with less lacquer required in some cases & some areas.   I've
been getting the Classic Steinway sound I want with these hammers.  The
American CO.18 lb. Felt is really nice & they seem to be on a roll. JMO

  Dale

 

Thanks!

 

- John

 

 

Dale Erwin--Piano Restorations
4721 Parker Rd.
Modesto, Calif 95357
Shop 209-577-8397
cell 209-985-0990 
http://www.erwinspiano.com/ 
Specializing in the Restoration, Service & Sales of
Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, & other fine pianos

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20060309/fbf2afd9/attachment-0001.html