Pianotech

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

What about felt density?  Consider Abel and Ronsen as well.

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

Hi Floyd,

Best practice with presetting FW and checking hammer weight that produces BW37 is to test first in the middle of the keyboard.  Not note 1 please!  I like to start testing at C4.   And yes, the center area is the most relevant area of business for the pianist.   My scales are guide lines not strict specifications.  Yes they can be used as scales as well.   I'm often cutting across the lines with my hammer strike weight specification.  NY Steinway particulary tends to cut to the lower weight scales in the bass end.  At the high end sometimes it's not possible or desirable to take so much weight off as the guildeline scales might indicate.     

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

Point well taken, David.  However, I have set up some pianos using the Front weight ceiling as my spec, and some users seem to be wanting less inertia.  As I survey a few whole keyboards, I am finding that 80% of FW ceiling and a 37 gram balance weight is leading me to a hammer weight spec that tends to sit somewhat lower than half-medium.  I have developed skill in pulling weight off of hammers, but some of them I've left looking a little ugly.  So my question stands.  If I'm wanting to push toward a lower spec, are there any sets I should be looking at from various manufacturers that make a lighter weight approach less arduous?  David has spoken of requesting specific specs from Ray at Ronsen.  I fully intend to do that shortly for a couple of our pianos. I'm also revving up to order a set of 14 lb Blue Points.   But I'm curious about other options.

Hi Floyd,

Best practice with presetting FW and checking hammer weight that produces BW37 is to test first in the middle of the keyboard.  Not note 1 please!  I like to start testing at C4.   And yes, the center area is the most relevant area of business for the pianist.   My scales are guide lines not strict specifications.  Yes they can be used as scales as well.   I'm often cutting across the lines with my hammer strike weight specification.  NY Steinway particulary tends to cut to the lower weight scales in the bass end.  At the high end sometimes it's not possible or desirable to take so much weight off as the guildeline scales might indicate.     

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

Point well taken, David.  However, I have set up some pianos using the Front weight ceiling as my spec, and some users seem to be wanting less inertia.  As I survey a few whole keyboards, I am finding that 80% of FW ceiling and a 37 gram balance weight is leading me to a hammer weight spec that tends to sit somewhat lower than half-medium.  I have developed skill in pulling weight off of hammers, but some of them I've left looking a little ugly.  So my question stands.  If I'm wanting to push toward a lower spec, are there any sets I should be looking at from various manufacturers that make a lighter weight approach less arduous?  David has spoken of requesting specific specs from Ray at Ronsen.  I fully intend to do that shortly for a couple of our pianos. I'm also revving up to order a set of 14 lb Blue Points.   But I'm curious about other options.

Hi Floyd,

Best practice with presetting FW and checking hammer weight that produces BW37 is to test first in the middle of the keyboard.  Not note 1 please!  I like to start testing at C4.   And yes, the center area is the most relevant area of business for the pianist.   My scales are guide lines not strict specifications.  Yes they can be used as scales as well.   I'm often cutting across the lines with my hammer strike weight specification.  NY Steinway particulary tends to cut to the lower weight scales in the bass end.  At the high end sometimes it's not possible or desirable to take so much weight off as the guildeline scales might indicate.     

I am surveying some of our grand pianos, in the interest of finding out what weight of hammers might be accommodated with existing leverage, front weights at 80% of the ceiling identified by Stanwood, and a 37 gram balance weight.  The three instruments I have measured thus far are calling out for (as far as this approach is concerned) a finished weight at hammer 1 of about 9 grams or less.  This would correspond to Stanwood 1/4 medium, or Curve 6.

I do understand that strict adherence to such an approach becomes less and less necessary at the outer ends of the scale are approached, but I am curious as to what hammers you all reach for when faced with weight requirements in this neighborhood.  I recently installed a set of Renner Blue Points G4U 16 lb hammers, and was only able to grind my number 1 hammer down to about 10.5 grams.  I was aiming for something in the neighborhood of Stanwood 1/2 medium (Curve 7) that would call for a hammer of 9.5 grams.  I do realize that the Blue Points are available in a 14 lb configuration as well.

What options would you be inclined to list?

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------