hammer shanks

[David ilvedson]

> Date:          Fri, 21 Mar 1997 23:52:46 -0600
> From:          Richard Moody <remoody@easnetsd.com>
> Subject:       Re:hammer shanks
> To:            pianotech@byu.edu
> Reply-to:      pianotech@byu.edu

Richard,

You can thin shanks yourself with a 1" belt sander.  Most sets
of quality grand shanks and flanges have the top 2 or so
thinned.  It is as Les says to bring out more high partials/tone.
I often thin all of the shanks as it eliminates a small amount
of weight and because it is on the sides it doesn't affect the
strength of the shank.

David ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA

> To Les's observations below, I would like to add the importance of
> the hammer shank.  I recently tuned a Wurlitzer grand (circa 1988)
> with hammer shanks in the treble section that were not round but
> oblong, or "skinny" in diameter in horizontal plane.  Perhaps words
> fail  this  description, but these "narrow" shanks must have been
> intended for tonal enhancement.  Was it  to reduce mass or increase
> flexibility? I have also seen these shanks in earlier pianos.,
> 	Of course when replacing shanks in uprights we have the option of
> which way the grain faces.  One way gives better strength, but the
> other way gives less stress to the flange centers,(theoretically)
> This is after we have culled of course. So which way is better and
> why?  Does it really relate to how the bat is held in baseball?
> 	And  regarding upright shanks, in the old days there were maple and
> cedar.(and probably birch)   Suppose I want cedar for the treble, can
> I still get them?
> 	And could I get "narrow shanks" for grand replacements?
>
> Richard Achipofftheoldlog Moody
>
> ----------
> > From: Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net>
> > To: pianotech@byu.edu
> > Subject: Re: Bechstein-restauration
> > Date: Friday, March 21, 1997 5:45 PM
> > snip
> > So the wieght of a particular hammer depends upon BOTH the type of
> > wood used for the molding and the density of its felt.
> snip
>
> > Les Smith
> > lessmith@buffnet.net
> >
>
>
>