METH/WATER for hard hammers

[Graeme Harvey]

On older style pianos with a harsh tone I give them a 2 minute voicing with
an iron and a damp cloth. It is very fast and very effective. The dampness
of the cloth and the amount of hot iron passes determines the level of
softening. I haven't tried the alcohol / water method. Do you apply this
with a brush?

Graeme Harvey
New Plymouth NZ

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Brekne <richardb@c2i.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2000 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: METH/WATER for hard hammers


> I aggree about the less water buisness. I typically use no more then 20 %
water,
> and rather use a couple applications if neccessary. I also find that
usually
> after the first application, useing a bit of steam voicing does the trick
for a
> finishing touch.
>
> just my experience..
>
> Johannes28@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> > Dear List,
> >
> > I just this morning used the methyl/water solution for softening hammers
and
> > it works great though I need to adjust my ratios.  Most people say use
50%
> > methly alchohol to 50% water but I think less water makes a more subtle
> > change.  The more water the more the tone gets wiped out.  Right?
> >
> > The solution is a lot easier on the hammers - those needles can really
do a
> > butcher job on worn hammers.  This solution is much nicer to them and
the
> > hammers will last longer for it.  I'm waiting to see if using the
solution
> > makes the voicing last longer than using needles.  (These are heavy use
worn
> > pianos and come up fast!!)
> >
> > Some needling may be needed to tweak the voicing but you can do most of
it
> > with meth/water and save the hammers.
> >
> > Anyone else have ideas on this?
> >
> > Johannes Spannung
>
> --
> Richard Brekne
> Associate PTG, N.P.T.F.
> Bergen, Norway
>
>
>