[CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists

Tim Coates tcoates1 at sio.midco.net
Thu Nov 20 17:40:47 PST 2008


Nevin,

Sorry I misspelled your name in a previous post.  I wholly agree with  
your comments below and thank you for making them.  I like to let the  
juice harden for at least four days before making any judgements.   
Eric Wolfley suggested I try this method.

Tim Coates


On Nov 20, 2008, at 5:25 PM, nevin essex wrote:

> Hi. It's Nevin Essex. I'm new on the CAUT list. My first reply.  
> Tell me if I do something wrong. In regard to the lacquering of new  
> hammers: I think it's important to apply as heavy a solution as  
> possible in a big grand piano like a Baldwin or Steinway D. The  
> last time I did it, I used 2:1. And the solution must soak in under  
> the strike point. It shouldn't just penetrate the shoulders and  
> stay there. It's to your advantage not to apply directly through  
> the crown or you'll be needling all day, but it should wick in  
> under the crown. Smaller pianos don't require as heavy a solution.  
> Thanks, Nevin
>
> On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 6:08 PM, Paul T Williams  
> <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> wrote:
>
> Thanks, Jim
>
>
> I'm having trouble with my Ronsen Wurzens on my Baldwin D, but am  
> scared to start putting stuff on the crown.  I've used 4:1 Laquer/ 
> Acetone a bunch on the shoulders (middle down to the bottom)  with  
> no improvement on power.  The false beats are gone and the sustain  
> is great after installing Wapin on it, but I fear a lot of the  
> problem may be a tired soundboard.  If I were to add a 5:1 or 4 or  
> 3:1 on the crown, or nearly on the crown, am I endangering the  
> situation? Or, would you suggest putting any straight on the  
> crown?  The mezzo-forte on down to very ppp or pppp...the piano is  
> lovely and the notes sing and carry to the back of the recital hall 
> (that seats 750), but there's just no power.
>
> What do you, or any of you suggest my next play???
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul
>
>
>
> Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu>
> Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
> 11/20/2008 02:44 PM
>
> Please respond to
> caut at ptg.org
>
> To
> "caut at ptg.org" <caut at ptg.org>
> cc
> Subject
> Re: [CAUT] tone building for impatient pianists
>
>
>
>
>
> 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>
> Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
> 11/20/2008 12:05 PM
>
>
> Please respond to
> caut at ptg.org
>
>
> To
> "caut at ptg.org" <caut at ptg.org>
> cc
> Subject
> 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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