[CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists

[Jim Busby]

Paul,

I’m using 5/1 with these hammers. Kent suggested 5/1, since they already had 3/1.

Jim

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul T Williams
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:45 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists


Jim,

What is your juice ratio you now use with these new S&S hammers?

Paul


Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu>
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11/20/2008 12:05 PM
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Re: [CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists







Hi Dennis,

The voicing procedure today at the factory is vastly different than say 2 years ago. I think you’d be surprised at how quickly the hammers can now be voiced/juiced.

Last month I attended the Steinway Tone Building Seminar and came away with a few ideas I might share.
1.       I like now like Steinway hammers and the way they voice. (Previously, not so much)
2.       The hammers can be ready to play in three voicing sessions. The Steinway C&A guys do it all the time.
3.       They are now pre-juiced more than before. My understanding is that the pre-voicing consists of literally soaking the hammer in a tray.
4.       You voice for two things “Body”, by applying MUCH less than before to the shoulders ( a few drops at a time) , and “Attack”, by adding only 3 drops at a time (3/1) to the crown.
5.       Single needle through the strings right in a “too bright” string mark
6.       More juice where needed as above.  Carefully listening, a drop here and there…
7.       Sand/mate, etc. etc. as before

They are using MUCH less juice in this stage than previously used because the hammers have far more in the factory -juicing phase. For instance, a small bottle (4 oz?) is now used which lasts through the whole procedure. We used to put 3 or 4 times that much, pouring it in!. Now it’s a matter of only a few drops at a time, judiciously applied.

Of course, trying to condense down the whole week into one small post can’t quite hit the mark, but these two things I want to stress; 1. I like it (didn’t before) and 2. A  much more surgical approach is taken.


Hope that helps Dennis.

Jim Busby BYU


From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dennis Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 2:31 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists

Hi-

Some recent experiences lead me to inquire how others may deal with certain impatient expectations regarding tone building on new hammers, specifically S&S hammers that require extra juicing in the treble.  This is all standard procedure, but generally my experience shows that the best results are achieved not quickly but through a combination of playing in, hardeners and needles over a bit of time.  Unfortunately, the event calender rarely allows for optimal time.  Do you send a memo to everyone explaining all this?  I've had similar problems as related to instability on a newly restrung piano being required for certain events before it is ready.

Thanks,   but having a bad day-

Dennis Johnson
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