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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Thank you for these helpful
observations folks. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Best regards,<br>
<br>
David.<br>
<br>
<br>
On 18/11/2012 19:00, Sig wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:mailman.4.1353265202.32066.pianotech@ptg.org"
type="cite">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.</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">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.
<br>
Ron N
</blockquote>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Hi David,</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">As others have suggested it may
not be the hammers.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Other things to try that may lead
you to decide what is needed.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">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</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Bring the string back to pitch
and listen to see if there is improvement in the sound.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">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.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">More than this will destroy the
string by adding unpredictable false harmonics.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">If the above does not help
examine the bridge assembly for soundness before deciding to
install new strings.</font></div>
Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
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