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<DIV><FONT size=2>You are biting off a fair bit to have this concert =
ready by
8/14. There are many things you need to consider especially since =
this
piano will be used for concert work. It's hard to know where to =
begin
because I don't know what you know. But you should be careful to =
consider
knuckle dimension of the shanks and hammer weight in a piano of that
vintage. Using NY improved parts (if you are) may work but may =
not
depending on how the action is set up. You should be prepared to =
make an
assessment of the overall action ratio as it relates to the new hammer =
weights
when selecting the proper knuckle placement. There are other =
considerations as well. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>As far as voicing with lacquer goes, there was a =
long
discussion a couple of weeks ago on the list between Bill Ballard, Dale =
Erwin
and me on this very topic. I think Ed Foote also made a nice =
summary
contribution. You might go into the archives and =
check.
Using a 3:1 mixture might be fine in some parts of the piano, but =
soaking the
hammers top to bottom with that strong a solution may turn out to be a =
bit too
much in certain areas. You need to make this assessment at the
piano. Plan to follow up the initial lacquering with at least 2 =
visits
before concert time. If it takes you an hour to get there each =
time then
plan for it and charge accordingly. Don't try and take =
shortcuts due
to inconvenience. Trying to save the customer a nickel =
usually costs
you a dime. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Depending on your experience, you may want to =
contract another
technician in the area to consult with or even perform some of the work =
with you
present. You will make less on the job, but the gain in =
knowledge will benefit you in the long run.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=chikring@midcoast.com =
href="mailto:chikring@midcoast.com">Arthur
Chickering</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> August 04, 2002 8:12 =
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> New Steinway Hammer
replacement</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear List, =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I am putting a new set of Steinway hammers shanks =
and
flanges on a 1901 model A grand. This piano is on an island off =
the
coast of Maine which is an hour ferry trip one way. This piano =
is
used by the Fox Island Concert Association and they will be using =
this
piano August 14 th for a solo concert. I will not have much time =
to put
these hammers on and get them regulated and voiced for this =
concert.
This is the first set of Steinway hammers I have had to replace. =
I am
looking for some help in the preparation, regulation and voicing =
methods that
you use on these hammers and any methods that might speed up this =
job. A
step by step guide would be very helpful so that I don't make any =
major
mistakes that could waste time. I have done several grand =
regulations,
but I do not have much voicing experience and none using lacquer and
acetone. I was told by Kent Webb to use 1part lacquer and 3 =
parts
acetone and to soak the hammers completely. If anyone has =
experince with
this method or a different method your help would be greatly
appreciated.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I do have the Steinway Technical Reference Guide, =
but I am
looking for more specific individual methods that you have developed =
from
experince with these hammers.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I am afraid of getting these hammers too hard and =
have
difficulty voicing them.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks for your help.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Arthur Chickering</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Associate Member</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Maine =
Chapter</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>