[pianotech] RE: Capo shape question

[Isaac OLEG]

Thanks, the description will be much informative to me.

I was told to think 'hammer shaping' when doing the job (see the
marks)

Regards.

Isaac OLEG


> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : owner-pianotech@ptg.org
> [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]De la part
> de David Andersen
> Envoye : lundi 9 septembre 2002 03:11
> A : pianotech@ptg.org
> Objet : Re: Capo shape question
>
>
> >   Hi Dave -- for those of us who haven't read the book
> what is the
> >prescribed procedure and how would you describe the tonal
> improvement?
> >   Thanks>>>>Dale Erwin
>
> Hey Dale----before I answer, I want to thank you sincerely
> for your "work
> the knots out of the shoulders" tip when voicing----it has
> made a huge
> improvement in my ability to control tone. You da man.
> This list is
> priceless.
>
> If the plate is out of the piano, it's easy.  You'll see where the
> strings have sort of machined into the soft iron, and that the
> termination point is in a "U" shape rather than a "V"
> shape.  Use a file
> suitable for soft iron, and carefully work small amounts of
> material off
> the capo bar until there's maybe a 1 mm termination, and
> the edge looks
> like a "V."  Pretty simple, and the procedure produces a
> much stronger
> fundamental tone with either the illusion of more sustain, or more
> sustain. Handy in this, the weakest speaking area of a Steinway(low
> treble).
>
> You can also do it with the plate in by destringing the
> capo(we usually
> do it in four sections, starting from the treble break) and
> doing the
> same thing as above using mirrors and squeezing your head
> as far into the
> action cavity as it will go---this is trickier, and takes more
> skill----DON'T FORGET TO BE CONSERVATIVE.  Sneak up on it.
> Don't take
> off too much material.
>
> And that's it.  If you need me to, when Steve Bellieu, my
> partner and
> shop wizard, gets back in town
> (9/10) I'll have him describe the procedure in greater
> detail.  He's the
> king of the "V."
>
> Best, David A.
>