[CAUT] brightening a Yamaha

[Rick Florence]

Alan,

I would first try a strip of fine sandpaper as Don has suggested.
Fitting hammers to strings will also affect a noticeable change in
volume/power.  If this does not work, I would try a bit of deep needling
in the lower shoulders.  My last resort would be to apply a small amount
of acetone/keytop on the crown with a Q-tip.  Applying it this way
controls the amount of solution by how much you allow in the Q-tip and
the pressure you use to apply it.  Solution in this manner is less than
applying individual drops and will bring up the attack quickly.  It can
also be done in the piano and backed down quite easily by scraping the
crown with your fingernail.

Odd to have a discussion on brightening a U1, but I have had to do it
occasionally.

Rick

____________________
Rick Florence
Senior Piano Technician
Arizona State University
School of Music


-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
reggaepass at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:17 AM
To: caut at ptg.org; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] brightening a Yamaha

Hi Lists,

A client with a two year old Yamaha U1F complains that the C5-B5 octave 
is not as bright as the rest of the piano.  I listenened, and proposed 
to voice down the surrounding octaves.  He wants me to brighten up the 
octave in question instead.  I've never had to make a Yamaha brighter 
before.  I would probably be inclined toward some slight of hand if not 
for the fact that he sits there and watches the entire time I am 
working on his piano.

I cannot imagine juicing Yamaha hammers.  Is there another way to go 
other than filing the hammers in the C5-B5 octave?

Thanks,

Alan Eder
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