explanation of battery voicing/needling

antares antares@euronet.nl
Wed, 12 May 2004 02:00:29 +0200


On 11-mei-04, at 22:18, Stéphane Hanriat wrote:

> Hello André,
>
> Can you tell us which part in the notes scale is the best candidate for
> battery voicing ?
> In other words, is the effectiveness of battery voicing the same for 
> each
> note ?

Hello Stephane,

The effectiveness of battery voicing works on every hammer which has 
not been treated with any form of hammer dope.
So I mean from hammer no. 1 to hammer no. 88.

>
> Also, have you already experienced battery voicing on cold pressed 
> Kawai
> hammers ?


Yes I have, and as long as they have not been doped, you will find the 
same effectiveness.

>
> Groeten,
> Stephane
>
> For instance,
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "antares" <antares@euronet.nl>
> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 11:52 AM
> Subject: Re: explanation of battery voicing/needling
>
>
>>
>> On 9-mei-04, at 3:39, John Formsma wrote:
>>
>>> Saw the term in several posts, think I have a general idea what it 
>>> is,
>>> but must have missed how that term originated.
>>>
>>> Anyone care to elucidate?
>>>
>>> John Formsma
>>>
>>
>> By battery voicing we mean going into the base of the hammer to get 
>> out
>> more power.
>> In some factories (Bechstein and Bösendorfer) the hammers will be
>> pre-voiced in the lowest part, just above the staple.
>> Usually 10 stitches will be given there and usually only by beginners.
>> This is called pre-voicing, followed by the first real voicing, which
>> is a continuation of up-needling.
>> In other factories (for instance Steinway and Yamaha), the first
>> voicing starts by making a cushion, working upwards from 3 or 9 
>> o'clock
>> to a 'certain' area under the crown.
>> With the regular Yamaha series, there is no other option because of 
>> the
>> stiffness in the lower halve, caused by the impregnation. We just do
>> not use this area, it is useless.
>> With Steinway (Hamburg) however, the method differs from time to time.
>> During my training there they basically used the upper halve only and
>> later, maybe, retraced on their steps if the power supply was not
>> enough.
>> The latter method also has to do with the inconsistency of the hammer
>> makers : one set of hammers will give the desired result, the other 
>> set
>> needs more attention.
>> The best and safest way in any case is to make your cushion (first
>> voicing) working upwards from 3 or 9 o'clock in order to safe the
>> remaining power/energy in the battery, the lower halve.This method 
>> will
>> give you the opportunity to make mistakes and restore them later.
>> It is also a very safe method to get to know the hammer by making an
>> initial voicing pass, and then see what the result is.
>> The Yamaha hammers also have a battery, but it is very limited. It
>> starts right there where the grey impregnation ends, and the battery
>> zone is only 5-10 mm wide, before you get into the cushion/shoulder
>> area.
>> The battery is a magic place we can use for more power, but also for
>> opening up the sound. Some soundboards ask for heavy battery voicing
>> because they are high overtone soundboards.
>> Bechstein soundboards are like that, and that is why Bechsteins are
>> greatest in their mid range and treble. To give a Bechstein a more
>> fundamental tone, up-needling or battery voicing is required from the
>> start.
>> Of course I am talking about non laquered high quality hammers and it
>> is a general statement, because all hammers and all piano's need a
>> unique treatment.
>> Yamaha is probably the only factory where they teach you at the 
>> Academy
>> to 'plot' your voicing course by making either mental notes or making
>> chalk marks on the keys, and then do a complete first voicing without
>> listening 'on the way', followed by a more refined voicing to even it
>> out.
>> Of course this is not the case with the hand made instruments made
>> there. A complete voicing takes two days, which is normal for these
>> kind of instruments.
>>
>>
>> friendly greetings
>> from
>> André Oorebeek
>>
>> Amsterdam -
>> The Netherlands
>>
>> 0031-20-6237357
>> 0645-492389
>> 0031-75-6226878
>> www.concertpianoservice.nl
>> www.grandpiano.nl
>>
>> "may the voice be with you"  (;
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>
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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