Tacks work, but if you put them in the hammers that are hitting wound copper bass strings the steel tacks will eventually chew through the copper windings, creating a rather nasty sound and a need for new bass strings. Mark Wisner -----Original Message----- >From: Tom Sivak <tvaktvak at sbcglobal.net> >Sent: Nov 24, 2008 3:17 PM >To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org> >Subject: [pianotech] can I take a different tack? > >List > >On Wednesday I am going to be asked about converting an upright piano into a "Tack Piano". > >I know that Schaff has a rail that can be installed to simulate the "Tack Piano" sound, but I'm not convinced it will work very well. After all, it's from Schaff! > >Oooh, I can't believe I wrote that! > >No, what I meant was, after all, mute rails don't work very well either, even on Yamahas, so why would a self-installed tack piano rail work? On the other hand, it would be non-invasive and non-permanent. > >But, I'm wondering about other options. Certainly actual tacks could be inserted into the hammer at the strike point---I assume that's what was done originally. Why else would it be called a "tack piano"? That would work wouldn't it? > >I also wonder if the hammers could be doped to be hard enough to simulate the tack piano sound. The negative here would be the relative permanence of the modification. > >I'm open to other suggestions or flames in my general direction. However, before anyone throws dirt at the client who wants this done, I should mention that he's a rather high profile successful rock musician with Gold Records and all that comes with it. This is my first appointment with him, so I'm interested in accommodating him in whatever way I can. > >Including buying 88 tacks and shoving them into the hammers, one by one, if that's what it takes. > >Any thoughts? > >Tom Sivak >Chicago > > > >
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