[pianotech] Weickert special felt update

[Will Truitt]

Hi David:

 

I have used the progressively finer grits of sandpaper as you suggest; this
is a particularly nice technique to use in the bass and tenor part of the
piano.  But sometimes your ear will still be asking for just a smidgen more,
but you do not want to overdo it.  In this case I take a hammer iron that I
have buffed the surface of to a high polish and is as smooth as a baby's
bottom, and rub it back and forth over the crown to smooth it down.  This
brings a tad more focus to the tone without adding the edginess that the hot
iron can bring.  

 

Just another tip to throw into your bag of tricks.

 

Combine this technique with needling that brings out the maximum sustain
and body from the hammer.  Then overneedle ever so slightly, progress
through the grits.  On the right piano, the result is a voice that is creamy
and liquid, lush and full bodied, with buckets of texture.  

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 1:31 AM
To: 'David Ilvedson'; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Weickert special felt update

 

I've never liked ironing felt as I think it tends to produce something
strange.  You might try polishing the tops of the hammers with 800, 1000 and
even 1500 grit paper.  I did that on a set of Weikerts that I put on
recently and it did add a nice shine to the tone without that nastiness that
ironing tends to give.  

 

David Love

www.davidlovepianos.com

 

  Just a brief note:
   I just today installed a set of Concert density Weickerts special felt in
my own Steinway B & they are awesome. I wanted something more from the piano
& these hammers deliver. Fantastic clarity in the top half of the piano.
It's a bit dark like the D in the bottom end I posted about but I'm going to
file & iron it a bit and give it some time to work things out.  
    This piano was at convention last year in the rebuilders gallery.
     Some notes may need even need a bit of light needling soon to open up
the tone but so far I'm thrilled.
   The piano will go to convention as is with just filing, string mating & a
couple tunings pounded in. Fantastic color/ power the bottom end Needs play
in but the piano sounds like it just got a 6 inches longer.
  
 If any are coming to the convention come by the booth and say hi or to the
Ronsen Class.  The piano will be played in class to demonstrate these
hammers.
  
  By the way Jack Brand of Wurzen is giving his Felt Class which is
sponsored by Ronsen piano hammer & Renner USA. Ray/Dale Rick Baldassin &
Lloyd Meyer will be present to lend support & answer any questions but Jack
will have the Bully pulpit.
    Cheers
    Dale

 

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