Voicing

[Lance Lafargue]

Hey Ed,
I've been doing this competition for about 6-7 years, on other pianos
previously, too.  They understand what I can do and have been very
complimentary up 'til now.  Last year I warned them strongly that I was
being restricted more and more considering the felt left, etc., on this
particular piano.  So, not until June (11 months later) did they bring up
doing something with the piano.  I am booked, vacation, etc., etc., now we
are too close to the thing to act.  We even tried to move another local
better piano in.  Again, I think they know well, I just want to do what is
possible.  I'm going to tell them Ed and Dennis said they shoulda fixed it
sooner... ;)


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-caut@ptg.org [mailto:owner-caut@ptg.org]On Behalf Of
A440A@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 4:54 PM
To: caut@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Voicing


 lance  writes:

>  I will be prepping and maintaining a Steinway D next week
>for a week-long competition with recitals,etc.  Very good players,
>often-times Van Cliburn contestants/winners (12).  The hammers have been
filed
>many times, running out of felt with some areas weak, lots of nasty
>twang/buzz.   These hammers have been worked on and stabbed by several
techs, so

>The Question:  What are some of the common (if any) remedies needed on
>older hammers in this situation.  Do you sometimes have to harden again
after
>much needling, (weak areas) do specific needling, (noise) after this much
use?
>Are there common procedures followed to extend the usefulness and increase
>the quality of tone in these older hammers?

Greetings,
    As Newton says, CYA!  I agree with Dennis, too.  First, make sure those
that will judge you understand that this is a compromise situtation you are
being thrust into, perfection will not be an option. (in other words, make
sure you are not getting set up to appear incompetant because the piano
displeases performers.....)
    If the hammers are able to be shaped to somewhat near a normal Steinway
shape,  it is often surprising how close you can come to a decent sound with
lacquer,  indeed, some of the new pianos from that factory have hammers that
are near soaked to begin with!
   You may find that the weak areas need a healthy dose of 4:1, then after a
couple of days a bit of accupucture will allow you to find some tonal range.
Resign yourself to ruining the hammers completely by the time this is over,
ie, you may need to constantly "sugar coat" overly hard hammers to get them
through.  Normally, if you can at least get the piano even,  too bright is
better than too soft for most artists.
Good luck,
Ed Foote RPT