Oblique hammers

[Joe And Penny Goss]

Hi Stephane,
This would result in a tone that for me  would have many false issues to
deal with as the strings would be sounding out of phase.
One question arrises in my mind, does the piano have string braiding on the
waste ends?
Joe Goss
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stéphane Collin" <collin.s@skynet.be>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 7:11 AM
Subject: Oblique hammers


> Hi List.
>
> I recently serviced a small Pleyel 5'2" piano from the '30.  It had the
most charming sound I ever heard (a real miracle).  Up 'till the last
trebble notes were singing with unusual beautiful tone, long lasting and
very dynamic.
> It featured something I have never seen before : from the tenor to the
trebble, all hammers were filed a little oblique, so on a light blow they
hit only one string, but not too much, so on a hard one, they hit all three
strings.  The result was incredible.  I suppose on a hard blow, the hammers
stay less in contact with the third string of the unisson, letting more
overtones develop, while the longer lasting contact with the first string of
the unison gives full power and sustain to the fundamental of the note, the
blend of both making this unusual beautiful expressive sound.
>
> Has anybody seen this before?
>
> I couldn't wait and try this on one of my pianos, and with happy result :
unbelievable pure and sweet pianos, yet very colourful and powerful fortes.
It doesn't work on the low tenors, neither on the high trebble, but
elsewhere, waw !
> I'm just afraid for premature wear of the hammers and maybe some trouble
at the flange center pin, carrying so an unusual torque.  Also, I believe if
someone notice this on one of my pianos, he will believe I am an outrageous
piano destructor.
>
> Any comment welcome.
>
> Stéphane Collin
> (Brussels, Belgium)
>
>