[pianotech] Restringing at Lower Tension

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Delwin D Fandrich
Piano Design & Fabrication
6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA
Phone  360.515.0119 — Cell  360.388.6525
del at fandrichpiano.com — ddfandrich at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of William Ballard
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 9:19 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Restringing at Lower Tension



I've never done any scaling (although familiar with the basic concept), nor
have I learned to use a sewing machine. So it will be done by someone who
knows how.

Del, can this job be done simply on the basis of speaking lengths entered
and formulae executed? (ie., by mail?) Or would the best job involve
judgement calls, based on

1.) the rescaler being in the same room with the piano before tear- down,
and/or
2.) the rescaler having in their experience one or more Stwy AI rescales?
-----

	It is not necessary for the rescaler to be in the room with the
piano. 
	Most Steinway scales (within the same model) were at least similar.
I've come across enough surprises over the years that I do prefer to work
from the actual speaking lengths as measured on the specific piano in
question but this is as much precaution as anything else. 
	Rescaling principles are the same across the board. Most rebuilders
who rescale the pianos that come through their shops probably have done all
of the various Steinway models at one time or another. But to work up a
scale for a particular piano requires only a working knowledge of the basic
principles. It is necessary to understand the relationships between the
strings, the soundboard and the hammers. It is helpful to understand the
limitations of rescaling as well. You're trying to make a specific piano
perform to meet your clients specific desires. You need to know what scaling
choices will best achieve the desired voice.
-------------------------------------------



David Love (among others) has made this point over the years. I was mainly
interested in what the high action ratio would offer (greater magnification
of the velocity range a pianist can apply at the front end).

Hmmmm
 light and big (lots of air space between fibers). Like an Isaac
(though he no longer appears in the Directory)? Density can be adjusted
during the voicing, and there are plenty of light hammer sets around. (Among
them, I'd  choose an Abel.)
-----

	Personally, from what you've written about the desired timbral goals
for this piano--and assuming a suitably light scale--I'd be looking at
something like a cold-pressed Ronsen with Bacon felt. 

ddf