David, thank you for clarifying! Would you consider doing a short video of this? Just a thought...
SO, I think I'm getting the picture finally-little bit heavier ball pein hammer.
As I have been replacing my stolen tooks, it has been rather fun trying to figure out exactly what to order/replace things with. So I have ordered a few hammers online (my local suppier continues to be out of stock on tiny ball peins) and it looks like these are going to be a bit light.
I really like the quality of the 2oz brass one on the right, but it almost seems like the shape of the pein of the smaller one may be better. I may experiment with just adding weight to it. So 2.5 oz? 3oz?? What do you recommend?
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[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2018 09:09
From: David Stanwood
Subject: Voicing Out Metallic Noise
Hey all,
I'm grateful that this surface conditioning method is being accepted and more widely used. It's my most valuable tool trick for blowing the mind of my customers in the nicest way and the effect lasts for years. Just a couple of comments: The ball peen does not actually pack down the felt. One of the beauties of wool fiber is that is is highly resilient. Age, heat, and lacquer dims it's memory of springing up on the back of the sheep! The destruction of tone quality from these effects is most noticeable in the pianissimo ranges.
The ball peen works and flexes the fibers and restores resiliency. The peen acts to expand wool fibers into the holes left by the spike of the compass needle. The word "Limber" comes to mind.
I personally use a medium sized ball peen hammer the long end of the wooden handle cut off. It's heavier than what is pictured and additionally handy for hammering out lid pins with the aid of mini vice grip and such.
It is possible to break tails. For fragile tails grasp three hammer together on the backing block and go for the middle hammer with spike and peen.
Cheers
David Stanwood
><snip>The compass needle does not penetrate deeply but really "rearranges" the packed down felt fibers just below the surface. Then the >ball peen sort of "packs down" the surface and kind of rounds out the sound.
>I<snip>..Kevin
Original Message:
Sent: 05-09-2018 23:13
From: Kevin Fortenberry
Subject: Voicing Out Metallic Noise
First, were there any grooves to speak of? Did the mettalic sound change with the shift?
Sounds like you are on the right track, but with Steinway hams having laquer in them, many times the "traditional" approaches may not yield the best results.
Big question: are you familiar with the David Stanwood technique of using a compas needle chucked in a pin vise, followed by striking the surface with a tiny (like 1.5 oz) ball pein hammer? The compass needle does not penetrate deeply but really "rearranges" the packed down felt fibers just below the surface. Then the ball pein sort of "packs down" the suface and kind of rounds out the sound.
I have had tremendous success with this on quite a few occasions (and many of them very critical performance venues! It is definitely something to have in your bag! Then acetone or similar may be the next step.......Kevin
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[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
Original Message:
Sent: 05-09-2018 21:08
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Voicing Out Metallic Noise
Hello all,
Any suggestions / advice about voicing out metallic noise out of hammers?
My subject in question is a Steinway M, original hammers (or at least Steinway hammers). The owner called complaining about a metallic noise for about an octave around middle C. I tried to break up the hard spots in the hammers (there were various hard pouches, both sides), but wasn't overly pleased with the results. The metallic sound was much less noticeable, and maybe the owner forgot about it shortly afterwards - I haven't heard back since....
Any suggestions on dealing with this in the future (for S & S hammers and 'normal' hammers)? And maybe a faster method (it took about an hour to do)....
Thanks,
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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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