No needling here: to steam, or not to steam?

[Roger Jolly]

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Hi Dave ,
                    Not that great.    I suggest you try a plain acetone 
wash.

1.  Install long voicing block.
2.  Cover wippens and back checks with polythene.
3.  Soak hammers with acetone, until liquid is running down the molding.
4.  Wait 10mins for the acetone to plasticize the hardener.
5.  Drench hammers again two or three times to wash the hardener further 
down into the hammer.

Wait 24hrs before playing the piano.  Now voice in the traditional manner.

If it has been really overdone with hardener,  there may be no alternative, 
but to replace the hammers.

You need to explain your ever move to the client.,

#1 This "MAY" work to your satisfaction,  and consequently save you quite 
an expense.
#2  If it does not work, then we will have to look at replacement. and the 
cost is going to be $ X.00

Good luck
Roger

At 09:03 PM 4/20/2004, you wrote:
>Voicers, steamers, needlers, what have you,
>
>I have recently done a small amount of work installing short lid props for 
>a woman who has two pianos, a Steinway M, and a Mason A.  When I was 
>there, she complained about the tone of the M and H, saying that the last 
>tuner applied something to the hammers, and it hasn't been her sweet old 
>piano since.
>
>I tried the instrument, and sure enough, it sounded like bricks hitting 
>tin cans.  I told her that if she was dissatisfied with it, she should 
>call the person who juiced it and have her voice it down.  She did, and 
>lots of needling didn't do the trick.
>
>When I was there last, I'd mentioned that I heard steam voicing yielded 
>good results, but I wasn't sure how it would work on over-lacquered 
>hammers.  And I've never tried the technique myself, though many on this 
>list have sung its praises.
>
>She is at wit's end, and wants her old M and H tone back.  I said I'd come 
>and check the piano out, and look into the possibility of steaming the 
>hammers.  I'm not certain how old the hammers are, but if something 
>doesn't help them out soon, replacement will be in the cards(probably not 
>a bad thing, except financially...:-().
>
>Questions:  How well does this technique work on over-lacquered 
>hammers?  Can someone describe the best way to go about it?  I've heard 
>damp-cloth/dry iron works well.
>
>Maybe I should try side-needling....:-)
>
>Thanks for any input.  I'll be scoping the piano out on Thursday.
>
>Dave Stahl

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