[CAUT] Steinway sound

[Dale Erwin]

  Hi Richard
   For sure Ed,.... Seems a legitimate question.
   But Richards question has to do with the original high action ratio and light hammer Pre-war-Steinway.  Some time back Ray had supplied some test hammers to some folks at Steinway.  The comments came back that they were more like the original hammers Stwy made before the WW-2, than what they made now. 
   So,the short answer is yes, Ray can and does produce hammers that are in that early range of lightness. Made in the same type of press as early Steinways. Just tell us what you are trying to do and your desired target weights. I don't think you can get closer to authentic weight and felt density than this on the planet
 Keep in mind some of those weights were crazy light. ie. On a n S in the shop.... note 4.....7.8 grams.... note 40 -6.5 
  get out! An accurate evaluation of the action ratio will tell you us what the particular weight parameters you are needing for the action before you.
 The raw hammer in the bass section in most hammers can usually be reduced by 1 & 1/2 grams & sometimes more. 1 in the ten. treble. Hey, I can even do a Stanwood type hammer eight prep for you.

 

Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
Custom restoration
Ronsen Piano hammers
Join the Weickert felt Revolution
209-577-8397
209-985-0990



 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed  Sutton <ed440 at mindspring.com>
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Mon, Feb 28, 2011 8:14 am
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway sound


For what it's worth, here is another question:
 
David Stanwood's Touchweight Metrology formulas (ca. 1995) have brought about a revolution (or evolutionary change) in action rebuilding, including, I think it's fair to say, a small cottage industry in redesigning Steinway actions.
 
Is anyone complaining that these instruments "Don't have the Steinway touch?" 
 
(I have heard a Steinway trained salesman say "If you want the Steinway touch, you've got to have a genuine Steinway!")
 
Ed Sutton
 
  
----- Original Message ----- 
  
From:   Dale Erwin   
  
To: caut at ptg.org 
  
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 10:58   AM
  
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway sound
  


   I'm   good with this statement Horace. 
  In my own practice I have been   trying in most cases to not deviate to far from the core tonal expectations   for several reasons.
1.  I like the basic Steinway sound at its best,   & so do many ears
2. I'm conservative with my clients pianos again   trying to enhance the best components of the tone.
3. Redesigning the piano   too much can influence its marketability in the minds of some.  For   others they would find it a plus to own a Hot Rod so to speak. Hey, different   strokes.

 I personally prefer to judge the piano by its sound not   the design. That is..... what pianist do. They don't look under the hood.   
  Heres the question. What constitutes a redesign?  Most guys   out in small shops are not compression crowning there boards but    crowning the ribs to some degree to support crown. Drying the board far less.   Neither is a Steinway parameter. This is our primary deviation. Do these   pianos sound like Steinways? It doesn't matter what I think if the client   likes them.
 
So here is an opportunity to see my The Erwin &   Sons Re- manufactured 1930s Steinway B Hot Rod on display if you'll are coming   to the WEST-PACS. in S.F. next week.  It will be there in the hall and in   the Ronsen Class room.
  Dale 

 
  
  
> 
>   In any event, I very much like Brent's concept of complimenting > whatever   design might exist "without alienating the core tonal > expectations...";   and working in smaller venues while new designs > are tested more   thoroughly to see what does and does not stand up > to performance needs   and expectations. That is a very wide field > of tone and response to   explore, with tremendous room for > variation; and, as Brent notes, no   one's career or reputation winds > up on the   line. 
> 
> Developing things along these kinds of lines   sounds to me like > everyone wins...and that qualifies as a Very Good   Thing. 
> 
> Best. 
> 
>   Horace 
> 
> 


 
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