PianoTech Archive

From "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner@ivories52.com>

Greetings All -

 

I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at
PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without
forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work?
I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are
complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to
recommendations.

 

-- Geoff

 


 

. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
.  <http://www.ivories52.com> www.ivories52.com 

 

 

 

From Barbara Richmond <piano57@comcast.net>

I haven't installed one, but I hear that the installation process has gotten easier because the tubing supplied now is telescoping. 

Barbara Richmond, RPT 
near Peoria, Illinois 



                                                

					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
                                                

                                                    
                                                        
                                                        Original Message
                                                
                                                 Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner@ivories52.com> 
To: "Pianotech Listserver" <pianotech@ptg.org> 
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 10:45:24 PM 
Subject: [pianotech] Grand practice rail 




Greetings All – 



I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work? I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I’m open to recommendations. 



-- Geoff 

	




• Geoff Sykes, RPT 
• 626-799-7545 
• www.ivories52.com 

From Cy Shuster <cy@shusterpiano.com>

I recently installed QRS's stop rail kit.  I had no training other  
than the directions, which are being rewritten. so it took me much  
longer than expected.  It works, though, and the customer is happy.   
Only very small letoff adjustments were needed.

The new Story & Clark pianos come with the record strip and MIDI  
output pre-installed, so with the stop rail you can connect the output  
to a PC and listen via headphones.  I installed a sound module in the  
piano instead.

Edwards makes acoustic foam; pianofortesupply.com has acoustically  
insulating caster cups for grands.

--Cy--

Cy Shuster, RPT
Albuquerque, NM

www.shusterpiano.com
www.facebook.com/shusterpiano

On Sep 23, 2010, at 9:45 PM, Geoff Sykes wrote:

> Greetings All ?
>
> I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail  
> kit at PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it  
> work without forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that  
> matter, does it work? I have a customer who only gets to play late  
> at night and her neighbors are complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam  
> underneath? I?m open to recommendations.
>
> -- Geoff
>
>

From "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner@ivories52.com>

But doesn't the stop rail kit effectively prevent the hammers from even
striking the strings, much like Quiet mode on Disklaviers? That's great if
you are going to be listening to midi or samples on headphones but all I
want to do is make this piano quieter. 

 

-- G

 


 

. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
. www.ivories52.com 

 

 

 

From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Cy Shuster
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 9:32 PM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand practice rail

 

I recently installed QRS's stop rail kit.  I had no training other than the
directions, which are being rewritten. so it took me much longer than
expected.  It works, though, and the customer is happy.  Only very small
letoff adjustments were needed.

 

The new Story & Clark pianos come with the record strip and MIDI output
pre-installed, so with the stop rail you can connect the output to a PC and
listen via headphones.  I installed a sound module in the piano instead.

 

Edwards makes acoustic foam; pianofortesupply.com has acoustically
insulating caster cups for grands.

 

--Cy--

 

Cy Shuster, RPT

Albuquerque, NM

 

www.shusterpiano.com

www.facebook.com/shusterpiano

 

On Sep 23, 2010, at 9:45 PM, Geoff Sykes wrote:





Greetings All -

 

I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at
PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without
forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work?
I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are
complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to
recommendations.

 

-- Geoff

 

 

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.856 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3154 - Release Date: 09/22/10
23:34:00

From Jon Page <jonpage@comcast.net>

I'd go with inserting foam. I get mine from a fabric store chain:
Joann Fabrics.  At least 3" thick stuffed between the beams.
On a grand, styrofoam supports a foam topper.

I'd prefer not to compromise let off/pianissimo for this.
-- 

Regards,

Jon Page

From "Ben Gac, RPT" <ben@benspianotuning.com>

Geoff,

I haven't installed one, but I just sat through Steve Jame's demonstration at our chapter meeting last Tuesday. As I understand it, the system will take about 3 hours to install (maybe 4 for first timers) plus initial measuring. I believe his target for the technician is to make the Grand Piano Muffler cost about $500-600 for a client. 

It seems to me like he's got the system down pretty well now. No soldering is required anymore. For a retrofit mute rail, there's no better option--plus, unlike foam baffles, one can disengage the system with the pulling of a pin.

As far as "deregulation," Steve recommends setting the let-off at just at/barely before the hammer strikes the felt. A little less power, a little less control. There's some compromise there, but it's necessary with any system that uses a mute rail. 

I heard the piano with the rail engaged and it certainly brought the sound down significantly. Of course, because the hammer is striking the felt over the strings, the clarity of attack is considerably muffled (hence the name, right?). I'd compare the sound to just about any upright with the mute rail installed; it's perhaps even a bit quieter. I'm sure Steve would be happy to answer any of your questions. Good luck!

-Ben

Ben Gac, RPT
Ben's Piano Tuning
(708) 488-1450 - office
(630) 291-5654 - mobile
Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
www.BensPianoTuning.com

----------

Greetings All -

 

I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at
PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without
forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work?
I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are
complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to
recommendations.

 

-- Geoff

 


 

. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
.  <http://www.ivories52.com> www.ivories52.com 

 

 

 

Ben Gac, RPT
Ben's Piano Tuning
(630) 291-5654 - cell
(708) 488-1450 - office
Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
www.BensPianoTuning.com

From "allan@sutton.net" <allan@sutton.net>

Hello all,

I am pleased to report a successful installation. The resulting sound is
very nice, and very muffled. My client is happy.

Steve is helpful with our questions. My client wanted still more damping
power, so Steve provided a different material.

I did the soldered installation but the new one should be easier.

It's a good idea well implemented.

Go for it !

http://www.grandpianomuffler.com

Allan Sutton, m.mus. RPT
www.pianotechniquemontreal.com


2010/9/24 Ben Gac, RPT <ben@benspianotuning.com>

> Geoff,
>
> I haven't installed one, but I just sat through Steve Jame's demonstration
> at our chapter meeting last Tuesday. As I understand it, the system will
> take about 3 hours to install (maybe 4 for first timers) plus initial
> measuring. I believe his target for the technician is to make the Grand
> Piano Muffler cost about $500-600 for a client.
>
> It seems to me like he's got the system down pretty well now. No soldering
> is required anymore. For a retrofit mute rail, there's no better
> option--plus, unlike foam baffles, one can disengage the system with the
> pulling of a pin.
>
> As far as "deregulation," Steve recommends setting the let-off at just
> at/barely before the hammer strikes the felt. A little less power, a little
> less control. There's some compromise there, but it's necessary with any
> system that uses a mute rail.
>
> I heard the piano with the rail engaged and it certainly brought the sound
> down significantly. Of course, because the hammer is striking the felt over
> the strings, the clarity of attack is considerably muffled (hence the name,
> right?). I'd compare the sound to just about any upright with the mute rail
> installed; it's perhaps even a bit quieter. I'm sure Steve would be happy to
> answer any of your questions. Good luck!
>
> -Ben
>
> Ben Gac, RPT
> Ben's Piano Tuning
> (708) 488-1450 - office
> (630) 291-5654 - mobile
> Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
> www.BensPianoTuning.com
>
> ----------
>
> Greetings All -
>
>
>
> I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at
> PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without
> forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work?
> I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are
> complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to
> recommendations.
>
>
>
> -- Geoff
>
>
>
>
>
>
> . Geoff Sykes, RPT
> . 626-799-7545
> .  <http://www.ivories52.com> www.ivories52.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ben Gac, RPT
> Ben's Piano Tuning
> (630) 291-5654 - cell
> (708) 488-1450 - office
> Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
> www.BensPianoTuning.com

From "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner@ivories52.com>

Ahhh! Thanks for this Allan. The video's help explain it a lot better. Very
well thought out device. Too bad he doesn't actually have an audio file that
demonstrates the audible differences. Ben's observation that the end result
sounds similar to an engaged upright practice mute rail is a good
comparison. That's actually something I can demo to the customer. 

 

Thanks to all for the response on this question. Very helpful, indeed.

 

-- Geoff

 


 

. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
. www.ivories52.com 

 

 

 

From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of allan@sutton.net
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 3:58 PM
To: ben@benspianotuning.com; pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand practice rail

 

Hello all,

 

I am pleased to report a successful installation. The resulting sound is
very nice, and very muffled. My client is happy.

 

Steve is helpful with our questions. My client wanted still more damping
power, so Steve provided a different material. 

 

I did the soldered installation but the new one should be easier.

 

It's a good idea well implemented.

 

Go for it !

 

http://www.grandpianomuffler.com <http://www.grandpianomuffler.com/> 


Allan Sutton, m.mus. RPT
www.pianotechniquemontreal.com



2010/9/24 Ben Gac, RPT <ben@benspianotuning.com>

Geoff,

I haven't installed one, but I just sat through Steve Jame's demonstration
at our chapter meeting last Tuesday. As I understand it, the system will
take about 3 hours to install (maybe 4 for first timers) plus initial
measuring. I believe his target for the technician is to make the Grand
Piano Muffler cost about $500-600 for a client.

It seems to me like he's got the system down pretty well now. No soldering
is required anymore. For a retrofit mute rail, there's no better
option--plus, unlike foam baffles, one can disengage the system with the
pulling of a pin.

As far as "deregulation," Steve recommends setting the let-off at just
at/barely before the hammer strikes the felt. A little less power, a little
less control. There's some compromise there, but it's necessary with any
system that uses a mute rail.

I heard the piano with the rail engaged and it certainly brought the sound
down significantly. Of course, because the hammer is striking the felt over
the strings, the clarity of attack is considerably muffled (hence the name,
right?). I'd compare the sound to just about any upright with the mute rail
installed; it's perhaps even a bit quieter. I'm sure Steve would be happy to
answer any of your questions. Good luck!

-Ben

Ben Gac, RPT
Ben's Piano Tuning
(708) 488-1450 - office
(630) 291-5654 - mobile
Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
www.BensPianoTuning.com

----------


Greetings All -



I have several times seen this new-fangled grand piano practice rail kit at
PTG conventions. Has anyone here ever installed one? Does it work without
forcing too much deregulation of the action? For that matter, does it work?
I have a customer who only gets to play late at night and her neighbors are
complaining. Perhaps some heavy foam underneath? I'm open to
recommendations.



-- Geoff







. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545

.  <http://www.ivories52.com> www.ivories52.com







Ben Gac, RPT
Ben's Piano Tuning
(630) 291-5654 - cell
(708) 488-1450 - office
Ben@BensPianoTuning.com
www.BensPianoTuning.com

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.856 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3157 - Release Date: 09/24/10
10:16:00