Hamburg Steinway "D" bass (wound string) Buzz

David Love davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
Sun, 23 May 2004 10:46:08 -0700


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Can you describe the buzzing more.  I would be surprised if it were the strings.  Loose windings developing on all wound strings at the same time seems unlikely.  Have you checked the connection of the soundboard to the rim on the side that was impacted by the forklift?  Go underneath and push up around the edges with your thumbs and see if you hear any crackling or see any movement.  Use a thin feeler gauge to check for around the edges and the ribs as well.  Take a mirror and a flashlight and look around under the plate for some foreign object, check the bass bridge for delamination of the cap.  I'm sure there are other possibilities as well.

David Love
davidlovepianos@earthlink.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ron May, RPT 
To: Pianotech
Sent: 5/23/2004 10:33:06 AM 
Subject: Hamburg Steinway "D" bass (wound string) Buzz


Are there any piano techs on this list that are still interested in talking about piano problems or are we now just solving political problems.  If so, I could use your input.

I am the servicing piano technician for a Hamburg Steinway (D) 9 foot grand. According to the serial (450690)number it seems to be a 1977. 

I first came on the scene with this piano a couple of years ago and although everyone seems to be in love with the piano I immediately was taken back by a pronounced buzz in all of the 39 wound strings.  There seems to be plenty of bearing on the bass bridge. I have exhausted all of my known fixes. I have put additional twists in the strings in hopes of tightening the windings. I've tapped the strings down on the bridge and hitch pins. all of which improved the piano a bit.  There is a box of Mapes strings which I assume were kept for emergency replacement that have been boxed for 6-7 years. I replaced a few of the strings with the strings from the box.  This also improved the sound considerably  on those strings but a buzz is still quite audible.. From what I have heard, at the time of purchase, a fork lift had been run into the side of the piano and the church had made a special buy on the piano after the repair. I can't help but wonder if the mapes strings being rolled up in the original box wouldn't also have developed a few loose windings. I have heard some good reports about Arledge Bass Strings and am very interested in any experiences you have had with these strings.

This piano is used for many concerts during season. I am surprised that we have had no complaints from the artists. Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Ron May, RPT
Vero Beach FL
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