explanation of battery voicing/needling

[Stéphane Hanriat]

Hello André,

Can you tell us which part in the notes scale is the best candidate for
battery voicing ?
In other words, is the effectiveness of battery voicing the same for each
note ?

Also, have you already experienced battery voicing on cold pressed Kawai
hammers ?

Groeten,
Stephane

For instance,
----- Original Message -----
From: "antares" <antares@euronet.nl>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: explanation of battery voicing/needling


>
> On 9-mei-04, at 3:39, John Formsma wrote:
>
> > Saw the term in several posts, think I have a general idea what it is,
> > but must have missed how that term originated.
> >
> > Anyone care to elucidate?
> >
> > John Formsma
> >
>
> By battery voicing we mean going into the base of the hammer to get out
> more power.
> In some factories (Bechstein and Bösendorfer) the hammers will be
> pre-voiced in the lowest part, just above the staple.
> Usually 10 stitches will be given there and usually only by beginners.
> This is called pre-voicing, followed by the first real voicing, which
> is a continuation of up-needling.
> In other factories (for instance Steinway and Yamaha), the first
> voicing starts by making a cushion, working upwards from 3 or 9 o'clock
> to a 'certain' area under the crown.
> With the regular Yamaha series, there is no other option because of the
> stiffness in the lower halve, caused by the impregnation. We just do
> not use this area, it is useless.
> With Steinway (Hamburg) however, the method differs from time to time.
> During my training there they basically used the upper halve only and
> later, maybe, retraced on their steps if the power supply was not
> enough.
> The latter method also has to do with the inconsistency of the hammer
> makers : one set of hammers will give the desired result, the other set
> needs more attention.
> The best and safest way in any case is to make your cushion (first
> voicing) working upwards from 3 or 9 o'clock in order to safe the
> remaining power/energy in the battery, the lower halve.This method will
> give you the opportunity to make mistakes and restore them later.
> It is also a very safe method to get to know the hammer by making an
> initial voicing pass, and then see what the result is.
> The Yamaha hammers also have a battery, but it is very limited. It
> starts right there where the grey impregnation ends, and the battery
> zone is only 5-10 mm wide, before you get into the cushion/shoulder
> area.
> The battery is a magic place we can use for more power, but also for
> opening up the sound. Some soundboards ask for heavy battery voicing
> because they are high overtone soundboards.
> Bechstein soundboards are like that, and that is why Bechsteins are
> greatest in their mid range and treble. To give a Bechstein a more
> fundamental tone, up-needling or battery voicing is required from the
> start.
> Of course I am talking about non laquered high quality hammers and it
> is a general statement, because all hammers and all piano's need a
> unique treatment.
> Yamaha is probably the only factory where they teach you at the Academy
> to 'plot' your voicing course by making either mental notes or making
> chalk marks on the keys, and then do a complete first voicing without
> listening 'on the way', followed by a more refined voicing to even it
> out.
> Of course this is not the case with the hand made instruments made
> there. A complete voicing takes two days, which is normal for these
> kind of instruments.
>
>
> friendly greetings
> from
> André Oorebeek
>
> Amsterdam -
> The Netherlands
>
> 0031-20-6237357
> 0645-492389
> 0031-75-6226878
> www.concertpianoservice.nl
> www.grandpiano.nl
>
> "may the voice be with you"  (;
>
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>