Steinway hammers

[Stephen F Schell]

Way to go, Mark! Congratulations.


                                                            Steve Schell

                                                        stfrsc@juno.com


On Thu, 13 Feb 1997 07:50:13 -0500 (EST) Mark Graham
<magraham@baldwinw.edu> writes:
>An addendum to a recent thread:
>
>Yesterday I had one of those exhilarating experiences that make you
>remember why you're in this trade. It was a 2-year-old Steinway M,
>beautiful and much-loved, customers who aren't the world's greatest
>pianists but enjoy their piano. Back when they were waiting for it to
>be
>delivered, the dealer had put a Boston in their house. The husband
>made
>the comment, "I'm just a little disappointed that this one doesn't
>have
>the zip that the Boston did."
>
>I played the Steinway for a bit, and listened, and had to agree. It
>sounded nice. But it didn't sound outstanding, sort of dull from top
>to
>bottom. A clear case for voicing. So we made two appointments, one to
>apply keytop-in-acetone solution, and one 36 hours later to even
>things
>out. They trusted me with their baby, and although they put no
>pressure
>on, I felt the self-applied kind.
>
>I went back and read all the recent info on the forum, particularly
>Steve
>Schell's. Used 2 keytops in 1 qt. acetone. Applied liberally, waited
>an
>hour, applied again where it seemed called for.
>
>The next appointment, the woman greeted me at the door with, "Wow! Is
>it
>different!" And I sat and played it, and after only a little evening
>out
>with a single needle, it was and is one of the most glorious sounds
>I've
>heard. I had a hard time leaving! The customers were thrilled, and I
>felt
>like the piano was now up to its potential.
>
>I recently put Abel hammers on a B with great results. But there is no
>sound like Steinway hammers voiced to their fullest. I have renewed
>awe
>for the brand, and am very thankful for all the information that you
>people put on this forum! It is a great resource.
>Mark Graham
>
>