Capo bar noise

[Zen Reinhardt]

Hi Rob --

Sometimes much of the noise you've described can be reduced by putting
something on the strings in the front duplex.  Some people use vasalene or
other forms of non-drying goop.  Some people put on a few coats of clear
nail polish.  The theory is that the stuff prevents only some of the
partials from coming through so that the overall tone of the notes in
question is not completely killed as you noticed with muting off the front
duplex.  It's frustrating, I know  ...  hope this helps.

ZR!  RPT
Ann Arbor  MI
diskladame@provide.net

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> From: Rob Kiddell <atonal@planet.eon.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Capo bar noise
> Date: Sunday, September 21, 1997 3:56 AM
> 
> Greetings list, 
> 
> 	I'm currently working on prepping a new Baldwin L grand (6'3"), and 
> there is a problem with excessive high partial noise from the first 
> section of strings above  the agraffe section. Simply put, it is an 
> excessive high partial ringing that is absent in the agraffe section, 
> but becomes immediately apparent in the Capo bar section. This noise 
> is so harsh as to qualify for ear protectors on a ff blow.  It is 
> amplified by the front duplex section between the Capo bar and the 
> first plate ridge past the tuning pins, but muting this kills all 
> high end frequency and leaves the section lifeless. Hammers are hard, 
> but voicing (I've tried several approaches) only diminishes the 
> overall hammer volume, the amount of the high end noise remains 
> consistent with the overall volume of the note, either mellow, medium 
> or bright. This noise is also evident when the string is plucked, so 
> I feel hammer voicing is not the solution. I have seen this problem 
> before on Baldwins, but strangely enough, the identical 6'3" piano on 
> the sales floor exhibits none of this "noise", yet the front 
> duplexing section on this piano is amplifying high partials as it 
> should.   	 
> 	I have spaced strings along the capo bar, streched 
> strings, seated strings, muted strings, yet everything seems to come 
> back to the Capo bar. Before I begin filing the Capo bar, are there 
> any thoughts out there regarding this or similar problems?
> 
> 
> Rob Kiddell
> R.P.T., P.T.G.
> C.A.P.T. Student
> Edmonton, Canada
> http://www.planet.eon.net/~atonal/atonal.html