[pianotech] FW: RE: Piano Scales

[Gerald Groot]

Here’s my 2¢.   Hahaha.  That reminded me of 






 ME!  Forgetfulness!  J

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Andersen
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 6:23 PM
To: joegarrett at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] FW: RE: Piano Scales

 

That wasn't D. Love...that was ME...ya olde geezer....

David Andersen

 

 

On Sep 26, 2011, at 2:43 PM, Joseph Garrett wrote:





I'm forwarding this, because this is what you get when you take a postitive
attitude re. my neverending rants.<G>

I realize I have offended a couple of people. To that I apologize. (Leave it
to David Love to bring me up short and put me back in the real world. Thanks
David.<G>) Please feel free to comment on any and all of this, if ya'll wish
to. My hide is pretty thick, as most know...so....have at it.

Joe

 

Joe Garrett, R.P.T.

Captain of the Tool Police

Squares R I

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Joseph Garrett <mailto:joegarrett at earthlink.net> 

To: Rex Roseman <mailto:rosemanpiano at gmail.com> 

Sent: 9/26/2011 8:05:46 AM

Subject: RE: Piano Scales

 

Rex,

It really wasn't a "challenge", but a rant.<G> I applaud you willingness to
delve into this important aspect of rebuilding! I will answer your questions
below:

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Rex Roseman <mailto:rosemanpiano at gmail.com> 

To: joegarrett at earthlink.net

Sent: 9/26/2011 6:50:27 AM

Subject: Piano Scales

 

Joe

 

I would like to take you up on your challenge to learn about rescaling
pianos during rebuild (see the below clip from one of your last posts). In
the past, I have always duplicated what was on the piano originally but I
have a project piano that I am working on at this moment that I can take
extra time and experiment on.

 

There are a couple questions that I would like to ask.

 

1.	What is the best scale program to work with in your opinion? I have
a copy of Scale Ripper. Is this all that I need? I have not heard of this
program, but suspect it's like a lot of others that promise
stressfree/unschooled/perfect scales every time. Would not use it for
anything, unless there is a real person behind it that will give you
counciling in it's makeup and use. (not to mention perameters to strive for.
The program I use is Scalemaster, developed by Mark Gallant, Assoc.,
Portland Chapter. I am the Beta User/abuser of this program.<G> It has it's
foibles, but can do the job with some time spent with it. Mark and I are
readily available for help.
2.	Do the bass strings need to have special scaling to deal with the
core/wrap configuration or can I just use a program such as Scale Ripper?
Again, NO on the "Scale Ripper" thang. For the first part, ...That is the
most important part of piano scaling, (the bass). It lays the foundation for
everything else. Most techs think the plain wire is the most important, but
I've found that it is almost inconsequential. I've change wire sizes, up to
3 sizes one way or the other and there was little or no change in tonal
quality. There was a bit of volume lost/gained, but that was difficult to
percieve.
3.	Who can you recommend for bass strings that can help in both the
scaling and the making of the strings. I recommend: 1. J.D. Grandt, Piano
Supplies/Strings, Canada, (address is in the ads in the back of the
Journal). 2. James Arledge, in Nashville,Tennessee. (Check your Directory).
There is a third string maker, I can recommend, who makes bass strings, but
with a different type of copper. His strings tend to be a bit brighter: Ari
Isaacs, Canada.
4.	Are there other questions that I should be asking as I get into this
project? (Usually it is the questions that you don?t know to ask that come
back to bite you.) The best thing I can recommend is to get a copy of "The
Calculating Technician" from the Home Office. That is the foundation for all
of this. However, keep an open mind in regards to Inharmonicity, Impedence
(loudness) & Breaking Strengths. Every technician has his/her favorite
"criteria". Personally, I tend to use the Imedence factor more than the
Inharmonicity factor. As far as tensions go, try to maintain a balance and
over-all total within the scheme of the piano. Every piano will have a
"pattern" and you should look for it as being the Intent of the Designer.
This I think is the most important factor. i.e. don't try to  make a Baldwin
out of a Steinway or vice versa.<G>
5.	I hope all this helps. Please feel free to contact me any time.
6.	Joe

 

 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Rex Roseman

330-289-2948

 

 

>We have the ability to SCALE Pianos for the greatest overall improvement of
sound, on an individual basis! And yet, none >of you techno-geeks seem
willing to put forth the EFFORT to learn how to do this!

 

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