[pianotech] Steinway B

[David Love]

I thought he said it was a new board.  But sound advice, in a manner of
speaking. 

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Nicholas Gravagne
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 9:36 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steinway B

No doubt a new board (assuming it did not receive one in the stated
"rebuild") would be a big help. But ethics and good judgment play a
role here. Before any comments are made to the piano owner that a new
board is the only way to enliven the tone, every reasonable and
obvious effort needs to be made to prep what is there. The rebuilder's
comment that the original tone was dull to begins with is pointless.
Also, it appears that the rebuilder is either not interested in
following up or is not sure what to do in any case.

First of all, it  hasn't been made clear to me if the owner / player
is complaining about the dull tone. And I take your assessment at face
value that the tone is dull since you refer to it as "Dull City". I
have known many fine pianists, two on the UCLA music faculty, who
prefer such a muted tone above all else. I would venture to say that
the vast majority of us would condemn the tone as dull and badly
voiced. So, again, what does the owner think?

Assuming that the owner is happy, then leave well enough alone, expect
to point out for  the record that most pianists prefer more bite to
the tone. Exercise a good deal of caution in convincing the owner that
something is terribly wrong, unless there is something demonstrably
and terribly wrong. Be very careful in considering making
pronouncements that a new soundboard is required, etc.

Now, if the owner is seriously complaining and has asked you to assess
the entire performance capabilities of the piano, that is a different
story.

Now, technically, and regarding the existing hammers and belly only, I
rely on a version of the "pluck test". I use a maple plectrum wedge
about 3" long and the sharp end is quite thin and actually flexes when
applied to the strings. Strum the strings (unisons) in question and
listen for the high, tinkling overtones. If you can hear these with
the plectrum, but cannot with the hammer, then you can get more from
the hammer through juicing (re-read David L's paper).

Use of the plectrum is generally limited to closer to the bridge
rather than the capo bar. Try to strum the strings, firmly and
repeatedly, at a distance from the bridge that more or less matches
that of the hammer strike point from the capo bar. Alternate the
strumming with hammer strikes. If the soundboard is really dead (or
other belly type issues exist), the higher partials will be muted and
the strumming and dull hammer strikes will "sound" the same. Takes a
bit of practice but works for me (mostly, anyway).

Keep us informed.

On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 6:06 PM, Richard Ucci <richarducci at comcast.net>
wrote:
> List,
> I have a client with a 1890's B which was rebuilt last year. It's one of
> those with the round red understring felts in the treble, with new
Steinway
> hammers. Serial #63710.
> The treble section all the way to the top is DULL CITY. The rebuilder said
> it  was the it was made. This piano has only 85 keys.
> What would be the best way to bring it up?
>
>
> Rick Ucci/ Ucci Piano
> www.uccipiano.com
>
>



-- 
Nick Gravagne, RPT
AST Mechanical Engineering