> Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 14:39:38 +0000 > From: Bonifield/Poulson <bonifarm@oro.net> > Subject: Steinway Evaluation > To: Pianotech <pianotech@byu.edu> > Reply-to: pianotech@byu.edu Hi Pat, I like my 1" belt sander for removing weight from hammers already hung. I remove them one at a time and can taper the hammer, remove excess wood from inside tail and thin the shanks. I am assuming there is plenty of upweight from the heavy parts. ilvey, RPT Pacifica, CA > List Members: I was called out to evaluate and appraise a Steinway A > grand. However, the condition of the instrument makes an appraisal a > bit problematical, at least for me. Here are the specifics: > Serial number 49516, year 1882. Refinished in natural color, > appartently was originally ebony. Soundboard and bridges very good, new > pinblock. Restrung competently, but has five notes in lower tenor > (G2-D3) given only two would strings instead of three, with tuning pin > holes in plate left open and undrilled. New hammers and shanks > (untapered in treble) and very heavy touchweight - 80+grams in bass. I > assume the primary culprit for this heaviness is the hammers and shanks, > with excess friction in the action contributing as well. Keytops are > recovered in plastic. Of course, the action will need lots of work to > make it function smoothly. Tone is good generally. My thought is to > work up a average value for the piano in good condition, subtract the > cost of needed work, and use that figure. However, some of these > repairs, such as lightening hammers, tapering shanks, possible > reweighting keys to balance the new hammers I have not done before. Any > advice would be welcomed. Patrick Poulson, RPT > > >
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