Problems With Duplex Scaling Of Pearl River Grands?

[Mark Wisner]

I've never noticed that the sounds produced from the duplex'd sections of Pearl River grands were any more annoying, pleasing, or interesting than that of any other maker who relies on esthetics to determines the placement of the duplex mounds.

I doubt if the muting you mention was done because of "not pounding his tunings in".  It seems far more likely that the listener didn't like the harmonic contribution of the duplex and had the tech mute off the area.  If that's the reason, no matter how the piano was tuned, I'll bet the listener would have had the same objections.  

I've felted duplex'd strings myself, it's not all that uncommon of a complaint.

Hope this helps.

Mark Wisner



-----Original Message-----
>From: Michael Magness <IFixPianos at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Aug 17, 2007 3:45 PM
>To: Mark Wisner <mwisner at earthlink.net>, Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Subject: Re: Problems With Duplex Scaling Of Pearl River Grands?
>
>It was explained to me that the duplex scaling didn't sound "right" with the
>piano after it was tuned by the tech who suggested weaving the braid or
>felt, I'm not sure which was used, through the duplex scale/string tails to
>deaden the sound. It occured to me if this wasn't a normal problem with
>Pearl River Grands it might be the tech's habit of not pounding his tunings
>in( I have personal experience having followed him at more than one
>venue)  that caused the problem. Since I have NO experience with Pearl River
>pianos, I'm asking those who do. I know there were problems with these
>pianos in years past but I thought most of it had been ironed out. These
>pianos are new, less than 6 months old, so I'm looking for recent experience
>with pianos new within the last year or so.
>
>On 8/17/07, Mark Wisner <mwisner at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>  I do have a fair amount of experience with Pearl River pianos, and I'm
>> happy to help you in any way I can, but I'm not sure what your question is.
>>
>> If your question is why a tech might have woven string braid through the
>> duplex section, it's probably because someone didn't find the sounds
>> that section produced pleasant.....imagine that!
>>
>> Mark Wisner
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Michael Magness
>> Sent: Aug 17, 2007 9:22 AM
>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>> Subject: Problems With Duplex Scaling Of Pearl River Grands?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I am re-posting the question to anyone who has experience with Pearl River
>> Grands of recent(within the last year)manufacture. I have a report of 2
>> grands on a dealers floor that have duplex scaling that does not "match"
>> with the piano scaling. The non-PTG technician has blocked the string tails
>> where the duplex scaling is with a felt strip woven in. A friend at the
>> dealership has mentioned this to me in a questioning way. I have no
>> experience with Pearl River pianos just the tech's work. I have noticed he
>> doesen't pound his tunings in and am wondering if this is perhaps the cause?
>>
>>
>> --
>> Michael Magness
>> Magness Piano Service
>> 608-786-4404
>> www.IFixPianos.com <http://www.ifixpianos.com/>
>> email mike at ifixpianos.com
>>
>> --
>> Michael Magness
>> Magness Piano Service
>> 608-786-4404
>> www.IFixPianos.com <http://www.ifixpianos.com/>
>> email mike at ifixpianos.com
>>
>>
>
>
>-- 
>Michael Magness
>Magness Piano Service
>608-786-4404
>www.IFixPianos.com
>email mike at ifixpianos.com