punching, it hits you

[Richard Brekne]

David Ilvedson wrote:

>I have heard of washing and drying punchings to change density and mainly stability...
>
>David I.
>
>
>  
>
Well, I have to admit that a few years back (4-5) this concept was new 
to me as well. Andre started talking about it, and then we who know him 
here of course started giving it a try.  First for me was simply 
noticing the difference between pianos, and trying to experiment a bit 
with trying out different things. I remember a Petrof grand that I 
ordered some very hard punchings for through the Steinway rep here. 
(course I told him is was for a Steinway :)  )  I was really suprised at 
the difference, but then Petrofs are (were) known for very soft action 
felts almost as if they wanted a lot of give in the action.  In anycase 
the difference was obvious, and everyone who plays on this agreed that 
the difference was for the better. And interestingly  enough many 
students remarked that they thought the tone of the instrument had improved.

This brings me to another one of Andre's suggestions... that about the 
height of the backcheck having an impact on tone.  Now this one is just 
plain weird sounding... I'll be the first to admit it... but there it 
was.  When Andre was up here a couple years back he demonstrated it to 5 
of us, and no one could avoid admiting that he'd changed the tone... the 
openess of the tone on the notes he'd adjusted.  I asked the famous 
Japanese pianotechs Mr.  Ono and Mr. Takahara  about this too whilst I 
was in Japan this summer, and they both immediatly responded along the 
lines... "but of course-- didnt you know that ???"... tho to this day I 
have yet to find a satisfactory explaination for why the height of the 
backcheck can influence the openess of the tone of the piano. 

Anyways... I've come to learn, as Isaac has as well... that Andre' is 
full of a lot of piano tone knowledge.  Much of it based on hands on 
experience as opposed to engineering expertise.  Funny how that still in 
these days almost always yeilds the best advice.

In anycase... like I said... I suggest you start experimenting around 
with punchings densities just to see for yourself.  Another felt I've 
been thinking of trying to replace with some of this Wurzen stuff is the 
whippen cushion.  I'll have to wait tho until the appropriate felt is 
available from Wurzen... and I have this Petrof in mind once again.

Cheers
RicB