The poor European's answer to the American piano GIANT

[Antares]

Jim Bryant (FL) wrote:

>Andre My Friend;
>  First of all probably no one wanted to disturb you while you were "behind
>your box" doing goodness knows what. :-)  Secondly probably no one wants to
>put themself in the category of "giants of pianoland".
>So between courtesy and modesty you did not stand much of a chance.
>  Not being among the "giants of the industry" but not minding to kick a few
>shins, even European ones :-), I will attempt a reply to your post.
>1. Are you sure that he was "tuning" and not replacing a cracked shank?
>2. One way to check for cracked shanks is to drop them on a hard surface and
>listen for the different sounds.  Is this what your tech did?
>3. Sound/Tone 'is' effected by the thickness/thinness and
>stiffness/flexibility of the shanks, as well as by the wood they are made of.
>4. I, personally, have never heard of "tuning" a shank, that does not mean it
>can't be done. 
>  Hope this supplies something for you Andre.....
>Jim Bryant (FL)
>

Jim, you are a piano GIANT and a piano HERO!!
OK deny it! be so humble! let someone just come up on my screen and tell me right in my Dutch windmill eyes that you are not a senior with tons of wisdom! hey!...a mother of war!

Thanks for consoling me in my European misery...

Now, to answer your questions:
>1. Are you sure that he was "tuning" and not replacing a cracked shank?

Absolutely positive! It was I who complained about a tuning problem and he checked the pitch of the shank (which was too low by the way).

>2. One way to check for cracked shanks is to drop them on a hard surface and
>listen for the different sounds.  Is this what your tech did?

No, after making sure about the shank having the wrong pitch, he took a new shank, dropped it on the bench to make sure this one would be "on pitch", and then reinstalled new shank with original hammer head.

>3. Sound/Tone 'is' effected by the thickness/thinness and
>stiffness/flexibility of the shanks, as well as by the wood they are made of.

Yes, but not many pianotechnicians are aware of this in the first place, and even less do make use of their knowledge!

>4. I, personally, have never heard of "tuning" a shank, that does not mean it
>can't be done. 

I know of a german technician (and he is very very good) who uses the technique of changing timbre/tone (and tonal volume) by scraping.
He does not have email though and besides, I am a subscriber to this (American List) so why not put my question in front of my American colleagues?

 > Hope this supplies something for you Andre.....
>Jim Bryant (FL)
>

Another caffe latte >plus< waiting for ya JIM!





Friendly greetings from :
          
CONCERT PIANO SERVICE
André Oorebeek
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
       
‰  where MUSIC is no harm can be  ‰