[CAUT] Steinway D hammers

[Fred Sturm]

On Jun 26, 2009, at 12:09 PM, Mark Cramer wrote:

> Where I find the difference in working time though is the final
> crown-needling, string-by-string and una-corda. With hard-pressed  
> hammers, a
> general sugar-coating seems to get a lot done in a hurry. The  
> Steinways
> still need a lot more localized attention, IME anyhow.


	Yes, but that is where efficient techniques come into play. Find what  
needs to be done, and do that to every hammer in a methodical way  
(tapering as the sizes of hammer tapers, and checking as you go). For  
the una corda, I find I usually use a line of #10 or #12 needles just  
to the left/bass of each string (and angling away from the string  
mark), then a line of #8 - #10 at the full uc position. Usually a  
perpendicular insertion parallel to the string mark, followed by 1  
o'clock and 11 o'clock in each case. With well marked string  
positions, this goes quite fast.
	Then follow up with rest position voicing, which is usually mostly  
single needle, and again finding and reproducing patterns of insertion  
for sections (I like to alternate a single #8 needle with #6). Often I  
will finish rest position with a single insertion of #12 needles, to  
get good pianissimo control.
	The #8 - #12 needles I refer to are something I have mentioned a few  
times before, with five needles inserted in a wooden tool (hammershank  
spacer stock, 1/2" x 1/8" or so), and spaced evenly so the outer ones  
are 6 to 8mm apart. About 3 mm protruding. (I should say I don't like  
the tool the Steinway folks use at all. Far too coarse).
	I have found this system to be quite efficient and fast, with good  
results. Problems arise when you get into the syndrome of  
"customizing" every single hammer, and every bit of each hammer's  
surface. That way lies madness and inconsistent results.
	All of which is not to say that one doesn't need to go through and do  
some custom evening out. But if you start with well-traveled and  
squared hammers (squared meaning burned so as to strike the strings  
perpendicularly) and level strings, touch up mating, and do  
consistent, methodical work, the customizing becomes minimal.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu