Pros & Cons

[Joseph Garrett]

Gordon et al,
No, she didn't mention the "pain" aspect, but I suspect that it is a
factor, because, since she has acquired the M&H, she has been playing it
more than the Schimmel. I'll know more when I change out the front rail to
a slightly softer type punching.<G> For a performance scenario, I think it
would not be a factor, but in this Teacher/Advanced Player/High Useage
situation, I truly believe it is a major factor.
Regards,
Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I



> [Original Message]
> From: gordon stelter <lclgcnp at yahoo.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 4/26/06 4:44:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Pros & Cons 
>
> I am also concerned with the possibility that someone
> raised here, of pain or injury to the pianist, as the
> key bottoms out "hard" and sends more shock back up
> through the fingers and wrists. Did she mention
> anything like this ??????
>     Ultimately, it's "whatever the customer prefers"
> in this business, but I must wonder if someone who
> spent a lot of time practising, or playing for hours
> ina  hotel lobby, would encounter such an effect -----
> versus someone doing a  relatively short performance
> on a stage piano.
>       G
>
> --- Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > I'd like to discuss the Wurzen Punchings aka
> > Crescendo P.nchings. I should say, an appointment,
> > yesterday, prompted this.
> > I have to say, I like the concept, but not the end
> > result, THAT, I could not confirm until yesterday.
> > Scenario: Small room with a M&H BB and a Schimmel
> > 5'10 or so. Side by Side. Both in excellant
> > condition. The current owner of these, is a
> > fantastic pianist, of high caliber and perception.
> > Her main complaint was: My Shimmel is hard to play
> > and the M&H is much more fun and easier to play. The
> > M&H had belonged to a now deceased client of mine. I
> > went the full service route on it from day one of
> > it's purchase. Including a
> > weight/friction/regulation to get it to even,
> > acceptable specs. This was the first time I had seen
> > the 11 year old Schimmel.
> > Upon, opening up the Shimmel, I immersed myself in
> > it's most obvious regulation problems. Upon
> > completing all of that and tuning it. It seemed just
> > fine to me, except one thing. The action was very
> > noisy at the bottom of the stroke. I checked
> > everything for proper adjustment: Balance rail,
> > Front rail, back rail action, (everything) and
> > finally I happened to REALLY look at the front rail
> > punchings! They are Wurzen, hard/firm pressed
> > felt...just like the Crescendo ones I got from
> > Jurgen a while back! And here I thought this was a
> > NEW thingee! NOT! I can tell you, NO ONE has changed
> > them out. The Shimmel came that way.
> > The main complaint, (once I pinned her down), was
> > that the Schimmel FEELS too "Mechanical"! And she
> > can hear the key hitting the bottom while she is
> > playing! These two things REALLY bug her. I told her
> > I could change the existing punchings out when she
> > has the action reconditioned/regulated, (which
> > should be done fairly soon). I'll only change the
> > front rail punchings. The balance rail use of The
> > Wurzen Felt punchings, is a far better idea, IMO.
> > So...I'll leave the balance punchings in. The back
> > rail felt is also Wurzen. I'll leave it in and pay
> > special attention to how it effects things, before
> > considering changing it out.
> > Anyway, I thought you all would be interested in
> > this scenario. Believe me, I certainly don't want to
> > throw any rain on Jurgen's parade, as he's a friend
> > and he is doing that extra something that this
> > industry has needed....forever!
> > Believe me, I was surprised to find this situation.
> > Just so's ya know of the "pro's & con's".<G>
> > Regards,
> > Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> > Captain, Tool Police
> > Squares R I
>
>
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