[CAUT] Tone "contrast"; Was - The "new" S&S Hammers.

[David Ilvedson]

I'm pretty sure he is responding  to Ric B...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Jim Busby" <jim_busby at byu.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
Received: 9/18/2007 9:19:54 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Tone "contrast"; Was - The "new" S&S Hammers.


>Hi David,

>I don't think I said anything about their goals, I just know that the
>piano (IMO) had no contrast in timbre. It sounded the same at all
>dynamic levels, just louder. I've seen Vince and other excellent voicers
>carefully play about 8 notes ranging from pp to ff and not only are they
>looking for a contrast in timbre, but when and how soon or how abrupt it
>is. You might have misunderstood with the words I used, which always
>seem inadequate when describing a sound. Maybe terms "dirty, mean" etc.
>aren't accurate. All I know is what I hear. One of the rebuilders I
>referred to taught a voicing class and showed off the piano that I
>mentioned. This must have met his goal. I guess my point is that the
>concept of good piano tone seems to be extremely varied. "Vive le
>differance" (sp?) I guess. 

>Regards,
>Jim Busby

>-----Original Message-----
>From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
>David Love
>Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 7:33 AM
>To: 'College and University Technicians'
>Subject: Re: [CAUT] Tone "contrast"; Was - The "new" S&S Hammers.

>I'm not sure which rebuilders you are talking about but I can guess.  I
>think your statement mischaracterizes their goals.  I neither think they
>are
>looking for a "super ppp" level (a natural pianissimo will do) nor are
>they
>equating "some kind of brilliance with noise".  Avoidance of gross
>distortions, caused by overdriving soundboards may be a goal, but it
>doesn't
>preclude a solid fortissimo.  Emphasis on sustain may require some
>slight
>sacrifice in loudness--at least from the board.  Yet, on many of these
>boards a wide range of tone can be achieved much more easily since
>soundboard and string scale matching delivers a somewhat more
>predictable
>result and allows for brilliance, fortissimo (and pianissimo) with a
>hammer
>that is neither filled with lacquer nor quarried from granite. Neither
>are
>they out declaring their ideas as superior.  It is simply a choice that
>they
>are making and they are being generous enough to share their ideas.  I
>don't
>know about "clear market preferences".  My experience with my customers
>(many of whom are very fine concert musicians) is that most pianos are
>too
>loud, too percussive, too strident, without expressive characteristics
>on
>the lower end.  Concert preparation is a very different thing than what
>most
>people would choose to play on everyday.  Also, carrying a 3000 seat
>hall
>forces you to make choices that you would not under normal playing
>conditions.  

>Choices about voicing a piano for presentation at conventions are more
>complicated and often must anticipate dead presentation rooms, ambient
>noise
>levels and other problems.  Within any design pianos can be voiced to
>very
>low or very high levels.  Those choices may not reflect the potential in
>any
>given instrument.    

>David Love
>davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
>www.davidlovepianos.com

>-----Original Message-----
>From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
>Richard Brekne
>Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 1:43 AM
>To: caut at ptg.org
>Subject: [CAUT] Tone "contrast"; Was - The "new" S&S Hammers.


>There seems to be a growing desire amoungst several rebuilders in the 
>states to opt for a very moody and softish sound base. The idea that a 
>super ppp level should be needed goes to the expense of any real 
>brilliance, seemingly because these same equate that kind of brilliance 
>with noise.  It matters not that the vast majority of pianists seem to 
>on the other hand opt for that kind of brilliant sound base.  On the one

>hand, I applaud the willingness to explore different colour pallets, yet

>on the other hand I am skeptical to the apparent insistance of some to 
>declare their own ideas as superior others, writing off clear market 
>preferences as meaningless in a variety of ways.


>Cheers
>RicB