[pianotech] Hardening bass hammers

[David Boyce]

Thank you for these helpful observations folks.

I reckon I will have to re-think, along the lines you guys suggest.  I 
am familiar with the sounds of "dead" tubby bass strings, with the loss 
of volume from the end of a bass bridge butting hard against the plate, 
and with the huge loss of volume from a detached bass bridge just 
hanging on the strings.  This isn't as bad as any of those, but you have 
certainly made me reconsider, and I will investigate further, in line 
with your suggestions.

Best regards,

David.


On 18/11/2012 19:00, Sig wrote:
> It may not be the hammers. Pluck the lowest steel wire tenor string 
> then pluck the highest bass string and compare the tone. If the bass 
> is softer try twisting the string. Other problems could be the bass 
> bridge is loose from the soundboard. To get good tone out of the bass 
> might need new bass strings.


> I sort of agree with Sig the mystery tech. I don't see why 80 year old 
> hammers would be too soft, but it's easy to find 80 year old wrapped 
> strings that are dead, or loose bass bridges in 80 year old pianos. I 
> think it's biggest problem is that it's 80 years old. <G> I second the 
> pluck test first to see what the strings actually have to give. 
> However, if it's the strings, I wouldn't try to save them by twisting 
> or any other heroic measures.
> Ron N 

> Hi David,
> As others have suggested it may not be the hammers.
> Other things to try that may lead you to decide what is needed.
> 1. Lower a note (one string of a soft sounding one ) about an octave 
> and pound with a heavy test blow force 10 to 20 strokes in rapid style
> Bring the string back to pitch and listen to see if there is 
> improvement in the sound.
> 2. Need more? Remove same string from hitch pin> as you remove the 
> string (  do it with vice grips so that you can see if the string has 
> been twisted ) twist string unichord no more than one full twist 
> bichord no more than two full turns.
> More than this will destroy the string by adding unpredictable false 
> harmonics.
> If the above does not help examine the bridge assembly for soundness 
> before deciding to install new strings.
> Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT


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