Oh my dear, you understand me but you don’t understand the nature of piano technology. I took a good wack at making progress on my piano. I fine tuned the key level, then went over the hammer line, drop and let off before taking a critical bash at keydip. AT LAST, it’s beginning to feel like a piano! Yes, uneven as hell, but at least there is aftertouch. I’m keeping a pretty good eye on the humidifier. I’ve got 3 hygrometers scattered around and am keeping things between 40% and 50%. Still, the tuning drifts (at least to my ear…being a piano tuner can be a curse) so I spent some time tuning the other day. Rather than just do the quick fix with the standard settings in the RCT, I spent some critical time getting my ear back for aural temperaments. Of course, by the time that was done,

Always, (always) close your punching box.

I visited Berlin this spring, on my way to Vienna. While there I visited a small technician based Bosendorfer dealer in the former Eastern section. These guys have had the high level tech training typical of Europe trade crafts, studying and working at Bechstein. They approach some things differently, for example they have a bass string making lathe. “Often it’s quicker just to make a string rather than wait for one to be ordered and delivered”…indeed, I’m sure it is. They also approach European style pinblocks differently. Faced with a typical Bosendorfer or Bechstein pinblock replacement, most American rebuilders would get out the chain saw and remove it completely from the sides of the case, where it is glued and often screwed in. Here they have a large, sophisticated multi purpose machine tool and route out the pin field, replacing with pinblock material. They never remove the whole block. When

I’ve developed good concert prep kind of skills; regulation, voicing, finding and fixing noise, working under time pressure etc. What I am NOT is a rebuilder. I’ve voiced new hammers from scratch alot, but I really haven’t had much experience installing new hammers. However, considering how many people do it, how hard can it be? So, about 3 years ago I decided to replace the original overvoiced stock Yamaha CFIII hammers with a new set. First decision, replace with what? Since I wisely figured that my first hanging job would not be my best, I bought a set from Wally Brooks…the make of which I really can’t remember (deep red underfelt). I know that is herasy to hammer buffs (what??!!! I suppose you don’t remember your MOM’s name either!!). I had Wally drill them and I hung on the original shanks. Well, let’s just say my hammer hanging was pretty