---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Hi Tim,
I hope you did not think I was critiquing your approach to
steam, that was far from the intent. My major use of steam is for
touching up the crown of U1 practice pianos, no time, no money, so it's the
most expedient. The key is not letting those grooves form too deep.
The second use is rock hard Asian hammers, were I get aggressive with the
steam prior to needling,
It's a cost effective approach where you know the client will never pay for
a complete job.
Like all techniques, you have to find the one that works for you.
One very positive thing that I find happening. There are far more
technician's today, taking an holistic approach to our craft. Looking at
the musicality of the instrument, and doing some thing about it.
Since this is a University tech's forum, I feel comfortable that the
competence level is higher than average, and that good judgement prevails.
In a perfect world, we would have premium hammers to work with, and be
regularly given 4 hrs to voice them for max results. Well no harm in
dreaming.
Regards Roger
At 02:04 PM 1/26/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>I stand by my comments about steam voicing. I wouldn't have earlier, but
>after reading posts on this list about it I have tempered how I use it. I
>am not over steaming as Roger suggests. I also use the exact procedures
>and materials one is supposed to. I use it, but only as a last
>resort. Misting and needles are used first. If that fails to get the
>results I need, I steam very sparingly.
>
>I used to be a die hard steam advocate. You can check the archives on
>this listserve if you don't beleive me.
>You can also read the cautions I read and the amount of money spent by
>some manufactures replacing hammers. One must be very careful. I have
>sets of hammers that still sound fabulous from steam. I have sets that
>are slightly thuddy. I'm not talking about great pianos that sound
>slightly thuddy, it could just be lousy hammers.
>
>Tim Coates
>Wapin Company LLP
>
>Ed Sutton wrote:
>>
>>And I will echo Fred's comments exactly.
>>Incidently, in the article, Roger says to use linen strips. Cotton works
>>just as well, and I got this straight from the Roger's mouth. What he meant
>>was: Don't use polyester.
>>Also, Keith Akins' article on side needling in the July 2001 Journal is a
>>gem of efficiency, a study in getting the most per poke. It is especially
>>useful on verticals.
>>Ed Sutton
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Fred S. Sturm" <mailto:fssturm@unm.edu><fssturm@unm.edu>
>>To: "Phil Bondi" <mailto:tito@philbondi.com><tito@philbondi.com>;
>>"College and University Technicians"
>><mailto:caut@ptg.org><caut@ptg.org>
>>Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 2:13 PM
>>Subject: Re: New Bostons
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> I'll echo what Phil says, and refer to what Roger wrote, too: day to
>>>
>>
>>day,
>>
>>>
>>>steam voicing as maintenance is a quick, well aimed shot to the very
>>>
>>
>>crown.
>>
>>>
>>>Pulls the grooves back virtually level. Then iron. This is the very best
>>>
>>
>>way to
>>
>>>
>>>extend the useful lives of hammers available. (The alternative is to file
>>>
>>
>>and
>>
>>>
>>>sugarcoat, which will get you to need replacement real quick).
>>> For my part, I much prefer doing my shoulder work with needles,
>>>
>>
>>assuming I
>>
>>>
>>>have hammers like Abels. I like the control and the results better. But
>>>
>>
>>when
>>
>>>
>>>the hammers are rocks, and I'm facing hours of torture (Samicks and the
>>>
>>
>>like),
>>
>>>
>>>steam is the way to go. Then maybe needles for finish.
>>>Regards,
>>>Fred Sturm
>>>
>>>Phil Bondi wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>I want to back up Roger's recent statement of Steam Voicing by saying I
>>>>
>>
>>have
>>
>>>>
>>>>used this technique on new and old hammers, Asian and American alike,
>>>>
>>
>>with
>>
>>>>
>>>>great long-term results.
>>>>
>>>>There's quite a few new Grands in SWFL under 5'(mostly Asian hammers)
>>>>
>>
>>that
>>
>>>>
>>>>sound alot bigger than they are, thanks to steam voicing.
>>>>
>>>>On these rock-hard hammers, steam opens them up to accept needling for
>>>>
>>
>>the
>>
>>>>
>>>>final touch, but without steam first, it's like trying to poke a hole in
>>>>
>>
>>a
>>
>>>>
>>>>rock with a blade of grass.
>>>>
>>>>-Phil Bondi (Fl.)
>>>><mailto:phil@philbondi.com>phil@philbondi.com
>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>caut list info:
>>>><https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>caut list info:
>>><https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>caut list info:
>><https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>>
>>
>>
---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/82/c7/90/27/attachment.htm
---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC