Real Customizing of a piano

[Fenton Murray]

List,
 I'd like to throw out a question. I've now built 4 bellies myself.  
I have seen several Steinways that have been very highly modified. 
Consider a completely different soundboard design, scale design, a totally different approach to hammer design and installation, to say nothing of damper, action and key re-design. While these design changes all play a part in bringing out a new voice to an old piano, I always am able to very clearly hear a Steinway in there, the Steinway soul is still there, it's as though it can be tweaked, but not changed (who'd want to?). Sooo, what makes a Steinway sound like a Steinway? Did it Usta-B a Steinway, or is it still? I think that it still very much is, more of the original timbre and tone remains than is replaced.
Even the rim and plate are changed, what with treble dams and aliquot and duplex mods, plate mounting, etc, etc. It seems that the design of everything can be changed, and we still have the wonderful Steinway.
And why can no other piano be made to sound like one? (Dale, I'd like to hear that Henry Miller with the B belly.)
Thank you, list, for taking my questions. I'll now take my answers off the air.

None of this is meant to be pro or con design changes in vintage Steinways, please, let's not go there.
Fenton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Andersen 
  To: ilvey at sbcglobal.net ; Pianotech List 
  Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 9:52 PM
  Subject: Re: Real Customizing of a piano


  No we don't; the belly's great just as it is---and the action is---uh---it's fine! Just fine. It'll break in and lighten up a lot in the next couple weeks.
  If you've got my check there, ma'am, I gotta go. Have fun. Buh-bye....


  David "Tune 'n Run" Andersen


    Well first of all, we don't need to do anything with the belly...;-]

    David Ilvedson, RPT
    Pacifica, CA 94044


    Colleagues Lets' agree to discontinue the idle banter. I've got a great Idea why don't we really discuss customizing a piano. What does it mean & all that it entails. It would be drastically more engaging than the spitting in the wind that's been going on under this wrongly titled thread which has zip to do with true authentic & artisanal Custom Piano Restoration, design or new designs. Who will go first? Dale Erwin



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