[CAUT] Weights vs Riblets in an S&S D

[David M. Porritt]

Andrew:

 

If it is still under warranty, I'd let S&S do it.  As Ron wrote, an RC&S
board would be a better solution but if the piano doesn't last 5 years I
think the manufacturer should do something!

 

dp

 

____________________

David M. Porritt, RPT

dporritt at smu.edu

 

  _____  

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Andrew
Anderson
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 11:19 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] Weights vs Riblets in an S&S D

 

Listmembers,
Some questions in response to the journal article; practical application.

I service an S&S D where we are really unsatisfied with the mid to upper
treble killer octaves.  I describe the sound a fuzzy.  The upper partials
clash and do not settle into a clear ringing tone.  The high treble is fine.
This is the kind of sound you get from cheap chinese grands when you try to
play them loud--distortion.  Problem is it happens at all dynamic levels.
Needling hasn't helped, shellac got us back some power but the sound still
fritzes and fuzzes on us.  The Steinway Artist I was working with voted for
replacement with Hamburg hammers (I'll second that one).  I was thinking
about swapping in different hammers to check if it is the hammers but with
this article I wonder about other solutions.  This four going on five year
old S&S D has other issues but tonally we are experiencing a weaker,
unresolved tone in this area.

Would the use of riblets improve this situation?  I clamped a small grip on
a bridge-pin and did not notice a difference here and so didn't explore
soundboard impedance any further.  Perhaps stiffness and reducing the
resonant frequency a little would help?

Comments?

Andrew Anderson at TAMIU

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