I have a new customer over the past several months with a 6'10" Blüthner Model 4 (2002), purchased new with the understanding that work had been done to maximize tone & touch. After a few years of disappointment and developing arm pain, this customer approached me. Each visit, I have discovered something unusual about this piano as I have worked to solve the customer's complaints. The first thing I found was that lead had been placed in all the hammer moldings from A0 through G5. This made the touchweight too high, and the piano played like a Mack truck. Although we (I) figured someone did this in an attempt to improve tone (higher strikeweight?), it just wasn't working. Removing the leads returned the action to its presumed designed touchweight (50-47g) and proper functioning, after re-pinning a few tight hammer centers. Customer very happy with action function. Repetition (what a novel concept). Piano plays beautifully, and I assume as originally designed. Now, while servicing the Life Saver system, I saw that the ends of all ribs had been "modified" (chiseled?) near the rim. I also discovered a wedge made of pinblock material under a rib at the belly rail towards the bass. Isn't this inhibiting soundboard movement? Should I remove it? Pix attached. What is all this about? Are all these things attempts to improve tone, sustain, or what? On a new piano of this quality/pedigree, these modifications baffle me. Also, not fully/specifically disclosed to customer. Thanks for any input. Trying to understand what some other tech(s) might have been after here. Possibly a valid (but failed?) attempt at improving an established piano design? Am I missing something here? Paul Milesi RPT Washington DC (202) 246-3136 Cell/Text paul at pmpiano.com http://www.pmpiano.com -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: P9190123.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 94159 bytes Desc: not available URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20111116/677971c7/attachment-0003.jpg> -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: P9190124.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 90959 bytes Desc: not available URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20111116/677971c7/attachment-0004.jpg> -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: P9190125.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 79058 bytes Desc: not available URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20111116/677971c7/attachment-0005.jpg>
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