[pianotech] Tack Piano

[David Ilvedson]

This is standard technique for Steinway voicing...if they can go right down through the crown why can't you...?

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Noah Haverkamp" <noahhaverkamp at yahoo.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 11/24/2008 8:13:41 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Tack Piano


>There are 2 Tack pianos that we have available for renting. They do indeed sound 
>unique. I can't imagine how any amount of hardener would duplicate that sound. 
>Yes, there is a regular metal thumtack stuck into the strike point. Does it hurt my 
>feelings? No. If the tie comes to remove the tacks, then i'll remove them and deal 
>with the hammers. I'm quite curious as to the effect, but i'm guessing it's not so 
>dramatic that it can't be fixed. Of course these are Yamha P22S or something, not 
>Grotrians. 
>However, about the mute rails, I think they work great! 

>Noah Haverkamp Frere
>Know-a Piano? 
>http://www.knowapiano.com 
>347-308-0094 


>> List
>> 
>> On Wednesday I am going to be asked about converting an
>> upright piano into a "Tack Piano".   
>> 
>> I know that Schaff has a rail that can be installed to
>> simulate the "Tack Piano" sound, but I'm not
>> convinced it will work very well.  After all, it's from
>> Schaff!
>> 
>> Oooh, I can't believe I wrote that!
>> 
>> No, what I meant was, after all, mute rails don't work
>> very well either, even on Yamahas, so why would a
>> self-installed tack piano rail work?  On the other hand, it
>> would be non-invasive and non-permanent.
>> 
>> But, I'm wondering about other options.  Certainly
>> actual tacks could be inserted into the hammer at the strike
>> point---I assume that's what was done originally.  Why
>> else would it be called a "tack piano"?  That
>> would work wouldn't it?   
>> 
>> I also wonder if the hammers could be doped to be hard
>> enough to simulate the tack piano sound.   The negative here
>> would be the relative permanence of the modification. 
>> 
>> I'm open to other suggestions or flames in my general
>> direction.  However, before anyone throws dirt at the client
>> who wants this done, I should mention that he's a rather
>> high profile successful rock musician with Gold Records and
>> all that comes with it.   This is my first appointment with
>> him, so I'm interested in accommodating him in whatever
>> way I can.
>> 
>> Including buying 88 tacks and shoving them into the
>> hammers, one by one, if that's what it takes.  
>> 
>> Any thoughts?
>> 
>> Tom Sivak
>> Chicago