[pianotech] Help Identify Recorded Piano

[Gary Doudna]

I have wondered the same for decades, and chalked it up to the Van Gelder
mystique.  One could readily say, "That's a Blue Note recording".  It must,
somehow, have to do with the particular mics used and the EQ-ing done in the
studio, rather than a particular piano used.  Some of the effect can be
accomplished in the regulation of the dampers, so they return sooner than
they do in the usual regulation of the dampers, but the sound?... a mystery
waiting to be solved.  Thanks for the inquiry, Don.  Hopefully someone can
shed some light on the subject.
Gary

On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 5:03 PM, <SooperTooner at aol.com> wrote:

>  For years I've listened to jazz recordings from the Rudy VanGelder Studio
> in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, across the river from NY City. Such notable
> pianists have included Red Garland, Wynton Kelley, McCoy Tyner and many
> others. Many Blue Note and Verve albums were recorded there in the 50's
> through 80's, and probably longer.
>
> The piano is (to me, at least) *immediately* identifiable. Always
> perfectly tuned, the attack is brightly percussive and the decay is quick.
> It's a very pleasant piano to listen to but it's tonal characteristics are
> unique. VanGelder was known for his innovative recording techniqiues and it
> has been said that he was very secretive about the particular methods he
> used for his piano.
>
> I have always wondered what kind of piano this was and hope that one of you
> - particularly in the NY metro area - might have tuned the instrument and
> can help identify it for me.
>
>
> Donn Young, RPT
> 610-964-8181
> Devon, Pennsylvania
> On the web at
> www.FixPianos.com <http://www.fixpianos.com/>
>



-- 
Doudnas
PO Box 68
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Doudna440 at gmail.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20110306/1443f109/attachment.htm>