Pianotech

  • 1.  Grease? On Steinway Duplex bridges

    Posted 03-30-2019 10:21
    Last night I was at a concert where there was a Steinway with spectacular case, in horrible need of tuning, the owner wanting to be "loyal" to his favourite expert. The instrument had stripey veneer to the quality of their Crown Jewels quality instruments. Looking inside I was very curious at what looked to be a grease on the Duplex bridges. I've used silicone oil on agraffes of my Bechstein before now and some advocate Protek. What might such grease be? Is it usual (silly question!)? And is it good practice?

    Best wishes

    David P


    ------------------------------
    David Pinnegar BSc ARCS
    Curator and House Tuner - Hammerwood Park, East Grinstead, Sussex UK
    antespam@gmail.com

    Call for papers - Seminar 6th May 2019 - "Restoring emotion to classical music through tuning."
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Grease? On Steinway Duplex bridges

    Posted 03-30-2019 15:04
    Some put pro tek  combined with pro lube on the under string felt to help with string rendering, not on the aliquots

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 3.  RE: Grease? On Steinway Duplex bridges

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-30-2019 18:48
    I dumped Protek. Now I use Jon Page's proprietary counterbearing concoction on the felt, agraffes, duplex bars, etc. Evaporates but leaves a film. VERY effective at assisting rendering. Has turned "beasts" into manageable instruments and otherwise enhances any tuning. Very smooth. Worth it's weight in gold.

    I would assume that the use of grease on this Steinway is a desperate attempt to ease friction. I see no lasting harm except that I can't see it getting under the strings where it actually needs to go to be effective. Will also.collect dirt so not so good that way.

    Pwg

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Grease? On Steinway Duplex bridges

    Posted 03-31-2019 09:00
    Dear Peter

    Thanks.

    Interesting thoughts. Where is it possible to buy or formulate some of "Jon Page's concoction"? It sounds rather useful.

    Certainly where one meets instruments with bridge and agraffe friction, the ability to minimise it effectively is saving.

    Best wishes

    David P

    --
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    +44 1342 850594