Evidence of overlacquered hammers

[ilex cameron ross]

couldn't you just use carbon paper laid over the hammers and, putting the
action back in the piano, gently depress all the hammers (i saw it done by
laying one's forearms across the keys) so that the strings + carbon make the
striking point lines?


}-----Original Message-----
}From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
}Behalf Of Conrad Hoffsommer
}Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 2:39 PM
}To: Pianotech
}Subject: RE: Evidence of overlacquered hammers
}
}
}Jason,
}
}At 10:56 9/28/2004 -0700, you wrote:
}>Can you please describe the "chalk method" more fully? Is it blue chalk?
}
}
}
}In this case, yes, but I also have white, yellow, red, green, and orange.
}
}Specifically, Crayola sidewalk chalk.
}
}
}-Look down through the strings and determine the strike point line. Put
}some tuning wedges along it.
}-Pull the action
}-Rub the underside of the string with the chalk along the strike point
}line. PLAIN WIRE ONLY - DO NOT TOUCH WOUND STRINGS!!
}-Replace action and firmly play all chalked notes.
}
}Enough chalk will remain on the strings to leave string lines on
}the hammers.
}
}I originally learned this as a method to check una corda spacing, but it
}can show a host of other things related to hammer/string mating such as
}filing or string level by noting the relative lengths of the marks.
}
}BTW, the stuff IS messy, so have a cloth handy to wipe your hands,
}etc.  Doing it in a room with a white carpet might not be the best idea,
}but since it is a powder it should only prove the efficacy of a vacuum. ;-}
}
}
}
}Conrad Hoffsommer - Keyboard Technician
}Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
}Vox-(563)-387-1204 // Fax (563)-387-1076
}
}-A rose by any other name would still attract aphids.
}
}_______________________________________________
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