Pianotech

  • 1.  Voicing Steinway Lacquered Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted an hour ago

    The client's piano is an early 90s Steinway B with the hammers soaked through with lacquer, presumably from the factory. What voicing methods are likely to prove effective on these hammers, especially to control the areas that are far too loud in the bass? I have tried some voice needling, and there is no feel for structure in the hammers, no apparent layers. Are there needle techniques that will work better? Or treatment of areas with water/alcohol to swell the felt? Or? Thanks for your advice!



    ------------------------------
    David Trasoff
    Whatcom Piano Service
    (360) 389-2158
    david@whatcompianoservice.com
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Voicing Steinway Lacquered Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted an hour ago
    David

    Don't assume the lacquer was done at the factory. It could have been done by a technician who heard adding lacquer gives the piano more power.
    If the hammers are soaked with lacquer to the point where needling isn't going to change the tone, one dramatic way is tip the action stack upside down, so that the hammers are facing down, then soak the hammers with lacquer thinner and blowing the lacquer out with high pressure air hose.

     Wim



    Original Message