Grotrian lost it's singing tone

[Greg Newell]

André and Isaac,
         Thank you to you both. I had been thinking along these lines. I 
have suggested a Piano Lifesaver system to the music director and he is 
hesitating because he doesn't want to see a cord hanging. My assurances of 
a good, clean installation did no good. I also am thinking of simply 
waiting out the "break in" period. I would hate to see the director with 
egg on his face after somehow obtaining a replacement piano only to have 
the same problem with it. I'm still a little puzzled by the strong initial 
strike and then an immediate drop in power. I find it difficult to describe 
too but perhaps picturing a graph where the line starts high and shows a 
shelf representing the strike and then an immediate drop and downward trend 
representing the decay rate at a lower level than the strike. The only way 
I could describe it was an out of phase reaction. Is that incorrect?

Thanks Gents,
Greg





At 03:22 AM 4/15/2004, you wrote:
>I confirm good results of DC system in a too humid (75%) place, the
>tone was really mushy, the board crowned, the keybed flatten, was a
>small Bechstein M in that case.
>The installation of DC saved the piano from this in a very short time.
>
>It is actually tuned once a year (last time the pitch drop was 0,3
>cts ) The piano is not used extensively but regularly and often , as
>it is ought by a composer.
>
>I did not use the humidifier part, as it was not necessary. I
>installed 3 rods (1 under the keybed)
>I believe that having a better wood moisture content for the keybed
>helped as well the hammer after some time.
>
>Success at all levels.
>
>I even loose the opportunity to sell the lady new hammers , as long as
>it aint breake ....
>
>
>Best
>
>Isaac OLEG
>
>
>-----Message d'origine-----
>De : pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]De la
>part de antares
>Envoyé : jeudi 15 avril 2004 00:39
>À : Pianotech
>Objet : Re: Grotrian lost it's singing tone
>
>
>Hi Greg,
>
>I think I know what you you mean. I have had similar experiences.
>It most probably has to do with temperature and humidity changes.
>Hammers are typical humidity gauges : they absorb moisture or release
>it.
>In both cases the sound may alter dramatically.
>And, as we all know, draft is killing an otherwise healthy and stable
>tuning.
>Then there is the matter of acoustics.
>I have worked for some time in a very famous but at the same time
>infamous concert hall and during that time I have gone through all the
>humidity and temperature changes you can imagine, including  terrible
>drafts and stage lights.
>
>In the end, you may have to just cope with the way it is and make the
>best of it.
>My advice would be to let the instrument adjust to the space it is in.
>Usually instruments under those kind of circumstances become like dogs
>that you don't allow in anymore.
>They have to get tough staying outside all the time.
>Just treat them fair and with kindness and hopefully they will get
>used
>to it.
>
>P.S. wait with dramatic measures and remind yourself that if the
>instrument changes from one day to the other it has nothing to do with
>voodoo.
>
>
>friendly greetings
>from
>André Oorebeek
>
>Amsterdam -
>The Netherlands
>
>0031-20-6237357
>0645-492389
>0031-75-6226878
>www.concertpianoservice.nl
>www.grandpiano.nl
>
>"where music is, no harm can be"
>
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Greg Newell
Greg's piano Forté
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net