[pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings

[Shawn Brock]

Hi Wim,

I pointed them out to him.  He and I went together to evaluate the piano prier to purchase.  He would have noticed when he played it though.  The bridge seems to be fine, the hammers need to be filed but otherwise things are good.  Well...  Good except these 4 strings.  The piano was pretty dusty inside and I expect that turning and rolling these 4 will do the trick.  I had recalled the tip about cleaning in the PTJ though and wanted to give it a try.  I just couldn't recall what was used.  The strings that are "dead" are not all that bad, they could be brighter though.  The piano was rebuilt and refinished in the early 80s and not played much after.  Its a steal for the price he paid.  He knows that it will need some work to bring it up to its highest potential and he is willing to do that work, but he told me prier to the evaluation that he don't have a lot of money to sink into it at the current time.  So, we'll do what we can.  

Thanks,
Shawn Brock, RPT
513-316-0563
www.shawnbrock.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: wimblees at aol.com 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 11:34 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


  Shawn

  Is the customer complaining about the dead bass strings, or are you pointing them out to him? If he is complaining, try turning one or two of the strings, and see if that changes the tone. Although the recording industry is suffering, like the rest of us, is he going to be satisfied with the sound of the bass strings, even after you've turned them.  He might have to bite the bullet, and get a new set, just so that he can use the piano on the recordings. 


  Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
  Piano Tuner/Technician
  Mililani, Oahu, HI
  808-349-2943
  Author of: 
  The Business of Piano Tuning
  available from Potter Press
  www.pianotuning.com


  -----Original Message-----
  From: Shawn Brock <shawnbrock at fuse.net>
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Sent: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 9:52 am
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


  Hi Alan,

  its definitely the strings.  I would hate to go through the trouble of restringing the thing.  Well...  Actually I wouldn't be the one who would hate it, the client would be.  The recording studios are suffering or so that's what they tell me.  I'm sure he won't go for a new set of bass strings at least not in the next few months.  

  Shawn Brock, RPT
  513-316-0563
  www.shawnbrock.com
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: reggaepass at aol.com 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 2:16 PM
    Subject: Re: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


    Hi Shawn, 


    Are you certain that the problem is with the strings themselves?


    Alan Eder


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Shawn Brock <shawnbrock at fuse.net>
    To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
    Sent: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 8:42 am
    Subject: [pianotech] cleaning/restoring tone of bass strings


    List,

    I know we had an insightful article in the Journal some time back about restoring tone to bass strings.  Apparently some of my copies of the PTJ were lost in my move back to Cincinnati, so I don't have what I need when I need it.  The problem strings are just a few bychords and the piano is an old Smith and Nickson art case.  The fellow who bought it got a heck of a deal and it don't need a lot of work.  We have to take care of these bass strings though.  He will be using it in a professional recording studio and tubby bass notes just won't do.  So other than the obvious turn and role what would any of you recommend?  

    Regards,
    Shawn Brock, RPT
    513-316-0563
    www.shawnbrock.com


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