[CAUT] Killer half-octave

[Chris Solliday]

Hi David,
 Just to add my two cents I have many Ds, Cs & Bs  and one M with GTTRs and they have always improved things in the the direction you would like. The new installation instructions are much improved over what we used to have. You should not ignore some of the "evil" suggestions, including Wapin, I would add channeling hammershanks right down to and through that section (personally I do the whole piano tapered by weight). This will stiffen the shank and also reduce the shank weight making the hammer more prominent (theory).  Also try changing hammer (strike)weight, up first of course and then down unless up works.
Bob Grijalva recommends doing all your voicing tricks first then setting the resonator but I have had success doing some of each and back and forth. But for getting the sound out of the box and putting more air under the tone (improving carry) nothing has impressed me more than these devices. This provides the best foundation for balancing registers and adjusting brillance I have ever encountered short of a new well set Steinway board (I do find them once in a while).  I have had similar experiences to Eric W the more the piano "needs" the greater the result. You might even reasonably expect miracles in your situation.
 Chris Solliday
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Porritt, David 
  To: College and University Technicians 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 2:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Killer half-octave


  Thanks for all the suggestions from my query this morning.  This is not a new problem, it's just that it finally reached the dean's desk.  The (relatively) small area that doesn't project got worse (i.e. wider - more notes) in the winter and is now marginally better in the spring.  The piano needs rebuilding about a year before I'll have enough budget to do it.  

   

  I think I am going to order one of those treble resonators since I can try it at a modest cost.  The hammers are fairly new, Ronsen Wurzens that I can't blame.  It is clearly a sounding board stiffness problem.  I just didn't have any exposure to this particular "fix" so I wanted to see what experience others have had.  So far the reports are favorable.  

   

  I'll let you know if I get a miracle cure that would allow me to delay its rebuild even longer (I do have other problem pianos to address though not ones that are this public)!

   

  dp

   

  David M. Porritt

  dporritt at smu.edu


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  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Love
  Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 12:08 PM
  To: 'College and University Technicians'
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Killer half-octave

   

  I wonder whether a killer octave problem would be quite so localized in such a small area.  It makes me think that hammer fitting, strike point and clean terminations would be well worth checking first.  Also, sample some other hammers in the section.  Heavily lacquered Steinway hammers have a way of developing TDD (tonal deficit disorder) and an inability to focus.  

   

  David Love
  davidlovepianos at comcast.net
  www.davidlovepianos.com 

  -----Original Message-----
  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Porritt, David
  Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 5:48 AM
  To: College and University Technicians
  Subject: [CAUT] Killer half-octave

   

  Esteemed colleagues:

   

  Our NY D, (1983) has developed - in the last year or so - a killer half-octave from about A#5 - E6.  I've added some mass to the bridge right under C6 and that helped a little but the problem remains.  I've been searching through the archives this morning checking for any further heroic measures I could take within the confines of my budget.  

   

  What's the general consensus of opinion about the "Treble Tone Resonator" that Pianotek sells?  While my current budget precludes a full remanufacturing I think I can manage the $155.00 for that!  However, I don't want to spend even that  - nor expend the time installing it  - if it wouldn't help.  

   

  Any ideas, suggestions, experience with it etc.?????

   

  dave

   

  __________________________________

  David M. Porritt, RPT

  Meadows School of the Arts

  Southern Methodist University

  Dallas, TX 75275

  dporritt at smu.edu

   
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