Hello everyone. I want to submit a problem that arose with a Yamaha G2 grand piano. After voicing, some keys sound like a harpsichord (it is difficult to explain). It seems likely that the tuner performed non-homogeneous and perhaps unnecessary voicing. Now the question is: how to restore the old timbre. I would like a quick response because the tuner intends to return to resolve the problem with the intonator. What do you think? I am quite desperate 😭 I forgot to say that using the left pedal, the defect is attenuated.
I am personally opposed to shaving. Everything changes, because the geometry of the mechanics and the balance change—that is, the proportion between the down weight and the return weight of the keys (I have already discussed this topic in many posts and also in tutorials). Furthermore, if it is not done respecting the shape of the hammers (especially in the cantabile and high registers where the hammers must absolutely not be rounded), the sound will soon become imprecise. Additionally, the hammer surface must strike all three strings simultaneously. Therefore, one must check the contact of each of them when the sound is impure. Voicing should be practiced with caution, respecting the settings established by the Manufacturer. This intervention is irreversible because, by going too far, the hammer could become "unusable." The left pedal mitigates the phenomenon of non-simultaneity because it excludes one string and thus decreases the contact of a part of the hammer relative to all three. Be very careful not to insist on voicing on the tip of the hammer!!!!
Thank you for the answer, maestro. It is EXACTLY what I thought: an inappropriate and reckless shaving. The fact is that the tuner is now convinced that he can solve the problem by acting on the tips of the hammers with needle strikes without even removing the hammer rail. Should I object? What do you advise me to do to avoid further damage?
One needs to see what has been done and how. An intervention on the tips, moreover without removing the action, is a matter of "luck"! It must not be done! To avoid further damage, one simply must NOT continue to intervene in this way. Now we need to see the result of the shaving, which I am against for a large number of reasons already explained in other posts, in tutorials, and which I can elaborate on verbally. Only when the hammers are new and the basic voicing is performed can the new hammers then be gently reworked to even out the indentations (without absolutely losing or altering the shape of the hammers). But this is planned during assembly because care was taken to leave a small margin of extra distance between the drilling and the tip. Instead, by shaving, and perhaps not in an appropriate manner, during the advanced life of the hammer rail, many things are altered, not least the striking point, especially in the cantabile and the high notes (this is because if there is a need for shaving, it means the hammers are very marked and therefore it becomes necessary to remove a certain amount of felt to make the grooves disappear) (in that case, one must evaluate whether to leave them as they are and wait to decide on hammer replacement, when it becomes truly indispensable). In any case, everything remains to be seen. Let me know. For more details you can call me free of charge at no. 3393395980. On this number, via WhatsApp, you can send me photos of the shaved hammers (especially the critical ones). I would like to see them, if you wish. My advice, for now, is to "postpone" the voicing intervention and other further interventions.
Many thanks again Maestro for your availability and experience. The appointment is for today (sic!). I am putting everything aside and following your precious advice. I will try to extract the mechanism, I have never done it before, but I'll give it a try; afterwards, I will send you a photo on WhatsApp. Thanks again.
