----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Lawson" <lawsonic@bdmail.co.za> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: August 06, 2002 10:19 AM Subject: Del Fandrich - Your comments please, anyone else that that matter... > http://www.klavins-pianos.com/ > > Brian Well, what kind of comments are you looking for? It's an interesting instrument. Someone sent me a CD of this thing a year or so back--interesting sound but difficult to tell much from just a recording. I expect you really have to be there. If you're after the longest practical bass string length this is probably the easiest and most practical way to get it. It would take an extremely long key to get a hammer to strike anywhere reasonable on a bass string of this length on a grand. The builder is obviously impressed with the huge soundboard size--I think it would be difficult to control. A smaller and more appropriately shaped soundboard would be more efficient--but, then, I've only heard a recording of the instrument, not the real thing. The main structure is all placed behind the soundboard--looks neat from the front but requires a huge amount of strength in the framework. I think if I were doing an instrument of this size I'd at least play around with the idea of placing some of the framing in front. The height of the thing precludes its being used in all but large and tall halls. Or halls with orchestra pits in which the lower portion could be placed. Maybe we'll get back to the built-in instrument era, i.e., as per the pipe organ. Del
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