Subject: Voicing Good Morning. I am interested in your favorite technique to make hammers sound louder an brighter. Here's the story. A client was given an old baby grand. Given that it had been kept out in a hot barn for years it was in surprising good condition, both casing, action and strings. On the upper two octaves, though, the hammers had worn through to the wood, so we replaced them. The owner didn't have the cash to replace all hammers on the piano, so they opted to just replace the worn through upper treble. The action has been adjusted and the hammers aligned with the strings, but the new ones don't sound nearly as bright or as loud as the remaing ones. I understand that this is to be expected. The owner likes the gritty rock n roll tone that the remaining old hammers has, and wants me to adjust the new ones to match as closely as possible. The current different is pronounced. Your suggestions? Arlin I have happened upon several old pianos that had leather covering the wood molding of worn through hammers. One could not tell until inspecting the hammers. I've tried it with strips of buckskin that is sold to recover back checks. The sound was bright and clear (as much as an old bridge and strings would allow), and the cost in time and materials was minimal. If you care to try it, glue one end of the buckskin with yellow glue and let dry. Then glue the other end, holding the buckskin in place with tape. When it's dry apply a LITTLE water to the leather to shrink (voice) it. Paul C
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC