Yes, the wire brush.
Extremely effective tool to mellow old, hardened felt. It can provide a rather quick solution for extremely bright sounding pianos, even though it's a more temporary solution.
Before doing any voicing, just make sure to talk with the customer to learn if they think the sound is too bright or maybe they just like it that bright.
I remember in my first year of being in the field, I came across a screamingly bright sounding piano. The hammers had very deep string grooves, hardened and dry felts. I wipped out my wire brush and gave it a quick pass. It took the edge off the brightness. The customer was not happy with what I thought was an improved sound. I learnt a valuable lesson that day.
Peter
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Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2021 10:58
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Too far gone?
Aaaahhh… the wire brush. that's always been my very favorite in home "voicing" procedure esp. for uprights…-all right release the hounds for those who will say " yes but it's only temporary!"
www,snowpianos.com
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Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030
Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2021 09:41
From: Jon Page
Subject: Too far gone?
There does not look like there is enough felt left, considering where the underfelt is in the photos. The tone will be brighter due to exposing the denser felt. I'd just lightly shoe-shine/knock-the-corners off the string cuts and be done with it and tell her to save up for new hammers.
Better yet, a brass bristle brush will tone it down and ease the corners, with even less work.
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Regards,
Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2021 00:37
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Too far gone?
If the top treble two or three hammers are not down to the wood and offer enough felt to actually allow reshaping then go for it. The customer needs to understand that regulation is also going to be required because of the resulting changes in action geometry. Stress that in the end, the piano will not only sound and perform better, it will also be a lot more enjoyable to play.
Like David Said, the length of the groove is probably more important than how deep it is. Although the deeper it is the longer it will be. A properly shaped hammer strikes the string at a very specific spot and allows the string to produce mostly the desired partials. If the hammer is worn and is striking the hammer over a much longer surface it winds up slapping at the string and generating much unwanted partials. Properly shaped hammer, good tone. Worn hammer, not good tone.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 09-18-2021 18:24
From: Timothy Edwards
Subject: Too far gone?
Are these hammers too far gone for filing? Customer can't afford a new set of hammers. Nice little Everett Studio.
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Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
740-517-7636
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