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

[David Love]

I was responding to Ric's comments actually.  I agree that the concept of
good piano tone is varied (see my editorial in the PTJ a month or two ago).


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 Jim
Busby
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:20 AM
To: College and University Technicians
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