It was a well used Steinway O that I did the shoulder squeezing technique on and as I stated before, squeezing only the shoulders on the proximal side (closer to the keyboard) close to the mounding so as not to deform the hammers much. I was interested in getting rid of the loud and louder dynamic range to give the player a chance to play softly, yet not lose the power and loud capability it already had. It surprised me as to how well it worked, and did just what I was aiming for in short order. The hammers were not so worn that I needed to extensively reshape, except to remove the shelf the string cuts made, which didn't take long but did nothing to increase the dynamic range. I can't say it did anything more than increase the dynamic range, but in this case, it was enough. I am sure I didn't go all the way up to hammer 88, but can't say for sure how far I went up. Maybe half way through octave 6, and from there just used the needle pretty much at the crown.
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Vince Mrykalo RPT
www.mrykalopiano.comVisit my blog at:
www.mrykalopiano.blogspot.comSuccess in tuning, as has been said of genius, is the result of an infinite capacity for taking pains.- Tom O'Meara (Editor, Tuners' Journal 1925)
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2024 19:44
From: David Brown
Subject: Side needle info
Thanks so much , Vince. Could you expand more exactly on how the sound was changed? And where in the scale did you work?
Grateful for all the input-
DB
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David C. Brown RPT
Garland Texas
214-288-9413
Original Message:
Sent: 4/7/2024 5:09:00 PM
From: Vincent Mrykalo
Subject: RE: Side needle info
I see I should have been more specific. NY.
Vince Mrykalo 드림
An error in thinking does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
OSU Greenwood School of Music
Visit my blog at: http://mrykalopiano.blogspot.com/
Original Message:
Sent: 4/7/2024 2:47:00 PM
From: David Brown
Subject: RE: Side needle info
Hi Vince-
Hamburg hammers?
D
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David C. Brown RPT
Garland Texas
214-288-9413
Original Message:
Sent: 4/6/2024 11:33:00 AM
From: Vincent Mrykalo
Subject: RE: Side needle info
I have recently used the squeezing method on the shoulders on a set of Steinway hammers with good results...quickly. Yes this method deforms and cups the hammers, unless you squeeze close to the mouldings and grind the squeezing pliers down to a small area at the business end. I squeezed only on the proximal sides (closer to the player in a grand), and improved the dynamic range and overall tone quite a bit.
Vince Mrykalo 드림
An error in thinking does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
OSU Greenwood School of Music
Visit my blog at: http://mrykalopiano.blogspot.com/
Original Message:
Sent: 4/5/2024 1:40:00 PM
From: Vincent Mrykalo
Subject: RE: Side needle info
Yes, my years doing this work also seem a little odd,
Vince Mrykalo 드림
An error in thinking does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
OSU Greenwood School of Music
Visit my blog at: http://mrykalopiano.blogspot.com/
Original Message:
Sent: 4/5/2024 10:00:00 AM
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: RE: Side needle info
Pliers deform the felt, as does steam. If the aim is making the tone, less ugly, those techniques can have their place, as can compass point needling.
However, essentially the same kind of result can be achieved by using shallow needles on the crown, particularly if they are smaller needles like number nine or number 10, Inserted no more than about 3 mm.
But the basis of high-end work, specifically expanding the total range of the hammer, and making it expressive, requires opening up the shoulders using deeply penetrating needles. At least, that is what I have concluded over my 40 odd years of work.
Original Message:
Sent: 4/5/2024 9:50:00 AM
From: Tim Coates
Subject: RE: Side needle info
Did Wally's method 25 years ago. Been there, done that. Time to move on.
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Tim Coates RPT
Sioux Falls SD
Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2024 09:44
From: Parker Leigh
Subject: Side needle info
Pliers are cheaper, more efficient and don't run the risk of having to extract broken needles. Read "Working With Hammers" by Wally Brooks
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Parker Leigh RPT
Winchester VA
(540) 722-3865
Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2024 00:59
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Side needle info
I have no vast experience with this technique, but I wonder, would squeezing with pliars have a similar effect?
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Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 390-0512
Original Message:
Sent: 04-02-2024 01:29
From: Nate Reyburn
Subject: Side needle info
Hi PTG Voicing,
I'm looking for some info on side needle voicing. I've seen Keith Akins' article "Voicing for the Rest of Us" referenced (Journal?), but I'm having trouble locating that. Any other experience or writeups available would be greatly appreciated.
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All the finest,
Nate Reyburn, RPT
http://www.reyburntools.com
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