Query: Voicing New Yamaha Hammers

[Lance Lafargue]

You need to needle.  Shoulders first to round out the sound and take some of
the edge off.  For pings and higher partials, shallow needling at the strike
point. Different depths for different volumes.  You may have to deep needle
hard lumps, but don't do any of this if you've never done it before.  No
hammer can/should be played right out of the box.  If you are not
experienced with these try calling Yamaha first.  They know plenty.  Also,
why not hire/barter with an experienced tech in your area to learn how to
voice these?  I would never learn on a new set of hammers that someone else
has paid for.  Just my advice.  I have never used alcohol, so dunno.

Also, you have plenty of prep to do before you begin to actually voice.  I
got plenty of literature from Yamaha when I was there and it may be
available to all techs (voicing Yamaha hammers).  You need to research this
one or find a friend to help at the piano.

Lance Lafargue, RPT
Mandeville, LA
New Orleans Chapter
lafargue@iamerica.net


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of John Gunderson
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2000 9:24 PM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Query: Voicing New Yamaha Hammers


Hi list:

I just installed a complete set of pre-hung Yamaha hammers on a 15 year
old C3.  The job went great until I reinstalled the action and struck a
chord.  I almost shattered every window in the house!!!!  It was VERY
bright!!!!!!  I mean I have heard bright before but this was far beyond
anything I could have expected.   There was no "piano", everything was
"forte".  I have used rubbing alcohol with much success on hard hammers
before, but since these hammers are brand new (and cost $844) I would
appreciated any suggests with regard to toning down.  I am not a big fan
of needling and would like to keep that to a minimum.  I await your
responses.

John Gunderson, Associate member, North Jersey Chapter.