<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
        {font-family:Tahoma;
        panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
        {font-family:"Book Antiqua";
        panose-1:2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3 4;}
@font-face
        {font-family:"Abadi MT Condensed";
        panose-1:2 11 5 6 3 1 1 1 1 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
        {margin:0in;
        margin-bottom:.0001pt;
        font-size:12.0pt;
        font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
        {color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
        {color:blue;
        text-decoration:underline;}
p
        {margin-right:0in;
        margin-left:0in;
        font-size:12.0pt;
        font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
        {font-family:Arial;
        color:navy;}
@page Section1
        {size:8.5in 11.0in;
        margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
        {page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue id="role_body" bottomMargin=7
leftmargin=7 topmargin=7 rightMargin=7>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial id="role_document"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>When I’ve had the
scales recalculated, the changes that seem to need to be made are often the
tensions in the plain wire section of the low tenor to a greater degree than
the wrapped tension in the high bass. Lowering the tension in the high
bass to match what is often a too low tension in the low tenor doesn’t
seem like a good solution to me. When restringing the bass on these
instruments, consider having the scale recalculated and altering a few of the
lower notes in the plain wire section of the tenor as part of the job.
That, combined with a blending of the wrapped strings and a change to the monchords
that almost always needs to be done from the original, can help the tenor/bass
transition and the low bass quality. Mass loading at these transition
points can help too. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
color:navy'>David Love</span></font><font size=2 color=navy><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'><br>
davidlovepianos@comcast.net </span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org
[mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf
Of </span></b></span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Erwinspiano@aol.com</span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, March 09, 2006
6:34 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: Voicing of high bass
on Steinway L</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>In a
message dated 3/8/2006 8:57:55 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
bjsilva001@comcast.net writes:</span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>HI
Dale, </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> Because I was very long time client Danny has
been receptive to my request for raising the tension in this area on many
sets but not with any enthusiasm & this is why I went to the
Arledge strings & that's OK with him</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>. </span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>However,
GC alters the string tension in the high range (to be lower) and I was
suspicious this might contribute to my distaste for the tone. From what Danny
at GC told me, Steinway continues the high tension in the L.</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> Ok</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>.</span></font></b></strong><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>So, in another attempt I
just ordered some Mapes, which I assumed (perhaps wrongly!) would follow the
default Steinway tensions. I am hoping to have a better chance at reproducing
that relatively terrific sound from the L I ran across, which I have
just received permission to examine next Tuesday. I'll let you know what I
turn up if you're interested.</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> Just measure the i.ds & o.d.s from the original
set of strings that you like the sound of and ask Jim Arledge to make them
& he will</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>As for
the piano in question, the hammers are fairly old, maybe even originals (from
1925). Nice felt, old-ish but better quality than what comes on Steinways now.
I personally don't have a problem with the tone of notes 27-29, in fact the
"original" strings on this piano had an acceptable transition from
A25-B27 - it was just the Bb26 that had a bad sound. I actually just heard a
new model O on Monday, which also suffered a similar sound on Bb26, but A25 and
below were fairly nice.</span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <strong><b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> German O?</span></font></b></strong></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>If you
have any voicing advice I would really love to hear it! I am competent at
superficial voicing, but not much more. I'm looking for a less punchy attack
and a warmer-full-bodied tone. I tried a bit of needling on the shoulders,
which improved the tone a bit, but I'm afraid of over-voicing so I didn't do
too much.</span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> John, I'm still unclear as to what hammers your using but
in any case I'll say there usually isn't anything wrong with recent Steinway
Hammers except operator errors or possibly to hard from the factory.
Yup some are to hard but usually the problem is they need to be brought up
which works in your favor. IMO.</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> But in general all 26 note bass pianos, </span></font></b></strong><strong><b><u><font
size=4 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>without </span></font></u></b></strong><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>wrapped strings on the tenor bridge, will suffer from low tensions
in the note 27 -30ish range & because of this the sound will always
suffer if the hammers is too hard . Hammers must be flexible enough to
prevent tonal distortions from being prevalent.. I you are working with
original hammers they were very light which is another clue. The hammers
can not be to heavy whatever you use.</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> As for the recent and always maligned factory Steinway
hammer, in general I have had very good sets lately. However I always single
needle test some the hammers to check the felt density. If
too hard I send them back. But the density & weight has been quite good
lately & tone after shaping is in the ball park with less lacquer required
in some cases & some areas. I've been getting the Classic
Steinway sound I want with these hammers. The American CO.18
lb. Felt is really nice & they seem to be on a roll. JMO</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> Dale</span></font></b></strong></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Thanks!</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>- John</span></font></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face="Book Antiqua" FAMILY=SERIF PTSIZE=10><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Book Antiqua";color:black'>Dale Erwin--Piano Restorations<br>
4721 Parker Rd.<br>
Modesto, Calif 95357<br>
Shop 209-577-8397<br>
cell 209-985-0990 <br>
</span></font><font color=black face="Abadi MT Condensed" FAMILY=SANSSERIF
PTSIZE=12><span style='font-family:"Abadi MT Condensed";color:black'><a
href="http://www.erwinspiano.com/">http://www.erwinspiano.com/</a> </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face="Book Antiqua" FAMILY=SERIF PTSIZE=10><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua";color:black'><br>
Specializing in the Restoration, Service & Sales of<br>
Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, & other fine pianos</span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>