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<font size=3>Hi Dave ,<br>
Not that great. I suggest you try a plain acetone
wash. <br><br>
1. Install long voicing block. <br>
2. Cover wippens and back checks with polythene.<br>
3. Soak hammers with acetone, until liquid is running down the
molding.<br>
4. Wait 10mins for the acetone to plasticize the hardener.<br>
5. Drench hammers again two or three times to wash the hardener
further down into the hammer.<br><br>
Wait 24hrs before playing the piano. Now voice in the traditional
manner.<br><br>
If it has been really overdone with hardener, there may be no
alternative, but to replace the hammers.<br><br>
You need to explain your ever move to the client.,<br><br>
#1 This "MAY" work to your satisfaction, and consequently
save you quite an expense.<br>
#2 If it does not work, then we will have to look at replacement.
and the cost is going to be $ X.00<br><br>
Good luck<br>
Roger<br><br>
At 09:03 PM 4/20/2004, you wrote:<br>
</font><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font face="arial" size=2>Voicers,
steamers, needlers, what have you, <br><br>
I have recently done a small amount of work installing short lid props
for a woman who has two pianos, a Steinway M, and a Mason A. When I
was there, she complained about the tone of the M and H, saying that the
last tuner applied something to the hammers, and it hasn't been her sweet
old piano since. <br><br>
I tried the instrument, and sure enough, it sounded like bricks hitting
tin cans. I told her that if she was dissatisfied with it, she
should call the person who juiced it and have her voice it down.
She did, and lots of needling didn't do the trick. <br><br>
When I was there last, I'd mentioned that I heard steam voicing yielded
good results, but I wasn't sure how it would work on over-lacquered
hammers. And I've never tried the technique myself, though many on
this list have sung its praises. <br><br>
She is at wit's end, and wants her old M and H tone back. I said
I'd come and check the piano out, and look into the possibility of
steaming the hammers. I'm not certain how old the hammers are, but
if something doesn't help them out soon, replacement will be in the
cards(probably not a bad thing, except financially...:-(). <br><br>
Questions: How well does this technique work on over-lacquered
hammers? Can someone describe the best way to go about it?
I've heard damp-cloth/dry iron works well. <br><br>
Maybe I should try side-needling....:-) <br><br>
Thanks for any input. I'll be scoping the piano out on Thursday.
<br><br>
Dave Stahl <br>
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