Interesting idea David, I just ordered the compass needles but am wondering what you use for a handle? - Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter Olympia, WA www.pianova.net On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 5:29 PM, David Stanwood <stanwood at tiac.net> wrote: > Hi Nick, > > For Problem hammers that lack dynamic resiliency and gradation of density > such as found on many heat forged and/or lacquered hammers of today I use a > 13 degree needle directly the striking area of the hammer. These needles > are available at: > > http://www.draftingsteals.com/20046.html > > The high open angle of the needle stops the point from going in too far so > power is not compromised and it opens up the fibers from the surface down, > creating warm pianissimo and color through the dynamic ranges. After an > appropriate number of stabs I limber up the fibers to bring up the > resiliency and work out any knots in the felt mass using the pean end of a > 2oz ball pean hammer. I support the tail with a wood block and hammer away > at the crown. It's non destructive and simulates playing in the hammers for > a few months in a matter of seconds. I've been doing this for a couple of > years now and have been sharing the method with my associates and it can > work miracles on certain types of hammers. > > Good luck, > > David Stanwood > > > List, >> >> A store client now floors four new Mason & Hamlins of different models. >> They all seem to possess an inherent high quality tonal envelope and sustain >> (but tricky to fully assess as they are). Tone via hammers, however ------ >> all sections of the scale sound like artillery, and the melody section more >> like a gun shot in a tile bathroom. Bruce Clark at M&H informs that the >> factory prefers to ship these pianos out "on the bright side as most >> technicians are more comfortable taking the tone down rather than building >> it up". Obviously I want to retain appropriate power, but at the same time >> uncover the inherent musicality. >> >> I understand that M&H uses custom Renner hammers. Should I expect a ton of >> arm-straining needling ahead, or do these hammers respond relatively quickly >> and easily? >> >> Anyway, I would like to hear from those of you who have voiced these new >> pianos. Any tips or advice would be appreciated (short of "rip out the >> hammers and install something else" ---- a non-option). Just suck it up? >> >> Can anyone weigh in on the use of multi-needled voicing pliers? And where >> are these obtained? >> >> In any case, I'll let you know how it goes. >> >> Thanks >> >> -- >> Nick Gravagne, RPT >> > - -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20101002/0d80417f/attachment.htm>
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