[pianotech] Stiff WNG?

[Joseph Garrett]

Del,
One would only hope.<G> 
The word I've settled on is Hard, not stiff. In terms of repitition, it
does respond nicely. I just don't like the "feel". As you well know, I am
not a pianist by any stretch of the imagination. However, I've learned to
have a sense of how I like the action to feel and how the tone strikes me.
I'm just not convinced that is the way to go. When describing the feel it
just feels a bit "herky jerky" to me. It's an intangible, I suspect.<G>
If I'm not mistaken the M&H's have Renner hammers, which to my ear,
probably adds to my dislike of the end product.. They're , generally too
dense/heavy/whatever for my taste. Perhaps, if, with a good set of Ronsens
on their pianos, I might percieve the olde M&H tone that I like. That might
solve the problem. Since it could be a tonal issue. Kinda like when you
spend all day cleaning your "RIDE", it just seems to run better, even tho
you did nothing to the mechanics.<G>
Best, 
Joe


> [Original Message]
> From: Delwin D Fandrich <del at fandrichpiano.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 10/4/2011 3:46:20 PM
> Subject: RE: [pianotech] Stiff WNG?
>
> I have only used WN&G action parts with relatively light hammers--roughly
> the equivalent of Ronsen 14 lb--and with these hammers the action feels
> light and crisp. Very controllable. I don't know what it would feel like
> with heavier hammers. Though I think you're the first person (technician
or
> pianist) I heard describe the action as "stiff." Next time I encounter one
> I'll try it again with that in mind.
>
> I've not yet used CA to glue the hammers on but I do see your point.
Still,
> like most every other difficult servicing and/or repair task we encounter
> with pianos, someone will probably figure out a good servicing technique.
>
> ddf
>
> 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 Joseph Garrett
> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 10:09 AM
> To: pianotech
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Stiff WNG?
>
>
>
> Perhaps I used the wrong word. Stiff is not exactly what I meant. I have
> done a side by side of two M&H, one with wood parts and one with the WN&G
> parts. The first thing I noted, was a harder, (probably still not the
right
> word<G>), feel. (my "feel" was similar to the "feel" that I got when
> comparing the hard front rail punchings to the soft ones.) The main thing
I
> noticed was a marked difference in tone. Of course, this was one instance
> where, supposedly the two pianos were the same, except for the actions. I
> know that no two pianos, even of the same manufacture and model, are "the
> same". The tone on the wood action piano was "warmer" to my perception.
> As for future servicing? My first thought would be in the repacement of
> hammers. I can envision major screwups involved in that process. Why? The
> use of CA type glues would be my first suspected problem area. IF, the
> hammer to shank joint were to fail, in the field...what would be used to
fix
> it, thinking what the average tech carries with him/her. Wood can be glued
> back together, if broken. I'm not seeing that possibility with the carbon
> fiber stuff. Probably, I'm not thinking it completely through, or just not
> understanding the technology thoroughly.<G> Let's face it, we see all
kinds
> of damage to our beloved pianos that defies our comprehension.
> I'm trying to envision repairs of these actions, in that context. 
> Your testimony of the abuse that the action models have taken is certainly
> something to think about. Under those circumstances, they'd have to be
> "bullet proof", to be sure!<G> Regards, Joe
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
>