[CAUT] new steinways

[John D. Chapman]

Hi Jeff,
Tone building with lacquer application is in my plans.  We chose the D 
and two Bs at the factory.  I worked a bit with Dirk and Terry there to 
see if more life could be added to some sections (mainly mid treble), 
and we heard good results, so I plan to continue in that direction now 
that the pianos are in their new acoustical environments.  In that mid 
treble area I will probably use 8 to 1 acetone to lacquer applied at the 
low shoulders watching it wick up almost to the crown.  Then needle if 
it is too bright, starting first in shift position after fitting hammers 
to strings etc.  All three pianos have excellent mid treble sustain when 
the strings are plucked, so I am confident we can achieve the tone we 
want. 
That said, I really appreciate the help and suggestions you all are sending.
John

Jeff Tanner wrote:
> Hi John,
> You said "voicing", but I'd make sure to include the prospect of tone 
> building and not just needling.  As has been mentioned, Steinway 
> hammers come a bit unfinished so that the dealer's technician can 
> taylor the tone to the application.  Your hammers will last you a lot 
> longer if you start out with them more heavily lacquered than they 
> typically come from the factory rather than waiting for them to play 
> in.  And your pianists will probably thank you because they won't have 
> to work so hard.
> Tanner
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John D. Chapman" 
> <johnchapman at asolare.org>
> To: <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:45 AM
> Subject: [CAUT] new steinways
>
>
>> Our music department just received four new Steinways: one D, two Bs, 
>> and an A.  Other than the obvious tuning and voicing, what immediate 
>> prep would you suggest?
>> John Chapman
>> Wake Forest University
>> Winston-Salem, North Carolina-
John D. Chapman
687 Callahan-Hill Road
Lexington, North Carolina 27295
phone (336)853-6964
!NEW MOBILE NUMBER! (336) 596-1035