chiffing attack sound in bass

[David Skolnik]

Bob-
Though it might work, I would not necessarily subscribe to the advice 
offered below by isaacah@sprint.ca, (otherwise unidentified, and, like 
yourself, without any recent postings to this list.)  If, for no other 
reason, this advice assumes a great deal about the actual nature of the 
sound you are perceiving, as well as its origin.  I don't tend to look for 
attack noise problems in the shoulders. Your previous approach seemed to 
suggest a certain logical progression, though there is considerable 
information you have not included, such as: brand, model, age, new or 
rebuilt, type of hammer, proportions of acetone/keytop solution, how large 
a "drop" you applied, the grit of sandpaper file used, etc.  You eliminated 
the sound by hardening the strike area. but seem, to be overshooting.  If 
you had to file away any crusting from the application of solution, I think 
you've used too much or wrong ratio mix.  Lacquer/thinner may work 
better.  A finer grit sandpaper, or subtle ironing of  the surface might 
help.  Also, applying solution near, but not on the strike point, might 
give you more control.

David Skolnik
Hastings-On-Hudson, NY


At 09:22 AM 2/21/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Robert,
>
>I would soften the shoulders needling the flat side of the hammers. The idea
>is to get the shoulders to move and absorb some of the impact.  I would try
>to get some flexing from a bit below the shoulders (8 o-clock) right up to
>11 o-clock on both sides leaving the outside untouched and needling from the
>flat side with the needle going right through to the opposite side, doesn't
>matter which side you go in from.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Robert Bussell" <rbussell@iquest.net>
>To: <caut@ptg.org>
>Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 8:15 AM
>Subject: chiffing attack sound in bass
>
>
> > I have been asked by a pianist to voice out an attack sound she hears in
> > the bass. The best that I can describe the sound is that it is like the
> > chiff a pipe organ makes with the note starts.  I have heard this sound
> > many times before in other pianos of different makes but have never been
> > able to solve the problem.  This is the first time that  a pianist has
> > brought it up.  It is not string leveling or hammer to string mating,
>shank
> > and hammer glue joints are good,  pinning is good, shape of hammer looks
> > good.  I have tried switching out the hammer and shank with other notes
> > that don't have the sound and it follows the hammer.  Another technician
> > suggested that the hammer has been over voiced and to use a couple drops
>of
> > acetone and keytop on the strike point.  This gets rid of the chiff sound
> > but then to note is too bright.  When I lightly file off the crust and
> > needle the surface to even out brightness the sound returns.  I would
> > appreciate any suggestions.
> >
> > Bob Bussell
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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