Pianotech

  • 1.  WGN Shanks

    Posted 06-02-2022 06:13
    I notice on their website that they have three diameters of shanks and 4.9 mm, 4.15 mm, 3.6 mm; Flex 1 ,2, 3 (respectively). How does one decide which would be appropriate?
    The shank tube walls are thicker for the bass, a little less for the tenor and again for the treble.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 2.  RE: WGN Shanks

    Posted 06-02-2022 09:13
    Is it just Shank Strike Weight the deciding factor?

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: WGN Shanks

    Posted 06-02-2022 11:27
    Hi John:  

    the Flex 1 was the original shank at the beginning, and was designed to be as stiff as the stiffest wooden shank.  Some people (techs) complained that these shanks are too stiff, and that one could feel that.  It can be said that carbon fiber does not absorb and dissipate shock as well as other materials, it does not damp vibration well.  

    That said, I have been using the WNG shanks since about 2010, and have never had a customer complain.  That includes a number of hands with highly developed sensitivity.  Can one actually hear the difference between CF shanks and wood?  That may depend on what you have been smoking and how much.  

    The stiffness of the Flex 2 is supposed to be about that of the average stiffness of wooden shanks.  (Individually, that can vary widely.  The CF shanks are extremely consistent in that regard, and the shank strike weights will be highly consistent also).  

    I have not used the Flex 3, which is even less stiff.  

    Some people seem to want to think that CF shanks are infinitely stiff.  That's not the case.  How stiff they are is highly controlled and consistent and designed into the shank.  

    There is going to be some difference in weight between the three, with the Flex 1 being the heaviest.  I believe I have measured shank strike weights on the Flex 1 and Flex 2, and I would have to find that.  But the differences are not great, and the important value is the great consistency.  

    For me the shanks strike weight has not been the deciding factor, because the differences are not great.  And, of course, the great inconsistency in strike weights due to the variability of unprepped hammers. 

    Another plus to the shanks is that they are hollow, and that can be useful.  Recently, I have been inserting round copper wire of a couple diameters into the tubes after goobering them with RX-50 CA glue so that they will stay put.  Instead of drilling holes into the hammer molding to insert lead wire of the desired gram weight that will create the desired strike weight, I set a piece of copper wire on the scale along with inverted hammer and shank and change it until I achieve the desired strike weight.  

    You are done in 1/3 to 1/4 of the time, and you have not adulterated the hammer.  Every bit as accurate too.  Works for me.  

    Not my idea, i got it from Bruce Clark.  It is a jewel.

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    Will Truitt
    Bristol NH
    1-603-934-4882
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: WGN Shanks

    Posted 06-03-2022 12:07
    A pianist (2008 Van Clyborn winner) told me he thought the stiff shanks gave it a crisp sound. He also said a tech in England had taken emory cloth and thinned the shanks for a softer sound. He liked it. I'm not sure how good of an idea that is. 
    I just did a piano with the flex one and Ronson Weikert felt hammers. It doesn't sound crisp to me. She loves it. She can't believe how fast it plays. I let the hammer tips voice naturally after some basic needling. 
    My theory is,, matching shank stiffness to the spring rate of the hammer is important. A stiff shank is going to want a long but quick spring rate in the hammer because the dwell is reduced from the shank perspective. I picture a more flexible shank as unwinding the flex energy into the wire slightly slower.  The stiffer shank makes the hammer create the dwell along with the velocity being the primary force component of expression. Too hard of a hammer will give a very crisp sound. Too heavy a hammer will slow the rebound. 
    The job I'm doing now,, I'm trying the Erwin's Americana from Abel on the flex one shanks. They look awesome. Very even. A lot of meat on them. They are Wurzen A felt and a warm press. A bit harder than a Ronson but not like a Renner. Dale likes a certain density of hammer felt. 
    I'm expecting power with a warm rounded scope of sound. 
    I'll try and post some video when it comes around. 






    Original Message