Paul W- You may recall I have posted with similar issues over the past several weeks, having installed factory-hung S&S hammers on a 1970 D. However, I have relatively little experience with installing new hammers of any kind, so I really think it is my lack of experience and understanding of these hammers and how to work with them that is the problem. Thanks to Nick Gravagne for instructing that multiple applications of lacquer might be required. A second, full application has gotten me a lot closer to where I want to be, although I do plan a third application in the top two sections. Yesterday we had a recital using the D, and it started to sing, hints of real presence. Far from finished, but I am beginning to understand the importance of getting enough lacquer solids into the hammer, particularly under the crown and high shoulders. You can¹t be afraid. I wanted to avoid having to get rid of that nasty, glassy sound, but I think you oftentimes have to go there first to get to the beauty in these hammers. I must say, yesterday I started to hear that Steinway sound I love so much, so I will be going over the top two sections one more time when there¹s a window of time. A filing, which definitely removed felt, even over the crown, also helped the focus/presence. For me, this is a terrific, if frustrating and fearul, learning process. There is stress associated with working on a piano that has to be playable all the time, and here I am still learning my way. But at this point I don¹t have any other options for learning at this level, other than ³to do.² So I have jumped in, both feet, having done my best to do my homework. Thanks to Fred Sturm/Ed Sutton for the burning technique ‹ I am looking forward to trying that. Good luck, Paul. Please keep us updated. Paul M -- Paul Milesi, RPT Staff Piano Technician Howard University Department of Music Washington, DC (202) 806-4565 Shop/Office (202) 246-3136 Cell From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> Reply-To: <caut at ptg.org> Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:56:42 -0600 To: <caut at ptg.org> Cc: "Webb, Kent" <KWebb at steinway.com> Subject: [CAUT] Bum set of NY hammers, I'm afraid Hi all, How often have you received a bum set of hammers from Steinway NY? I've tried every trick in the book on the Steinway D I've been talking about over the past couple months, but no luck. They just don't want to respond. No charm, character or projection. The regulation is great, string mating is great, ppp is OK, but mf and up just suck! I've put far too many hours voicing one might expect to do with a new set of anything. I suppose 1 set in about 20 I've done isn't bad, but this is a concert piano. I had better luck with our other D with Wally's "special Natural Abel" hammers. The piano faculty is also disappointed in the piano now, and, of course, many recitals to go. I did switch the two pianos out. This one was in our large recital hall and the Wally Steinway was in our small recital hall and too overbearing for a poorly designed room that seats only 250. I've found the Wally's really brighten up a lot after a year or so, so I'll still need to do the 100,000 note "tune up" this summer. We'll see if that calms them down until this summer. Im now thinking of a set of Hamburgs for this problem piano. The D in the Lied Center just got new Hamburgs, and sounds fantastic. Thoughts? I'm really not liking the idea of scrapping these hammers, so if any of you have a last ditch approach, I'd love to hear it! Thanks Paul -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20110211/a4e6bb98/attachment.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC