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I'm not thrilled by the poly finishes on some of the pianos that are not black.. on the carved pianos most of the defintion is lost..like cornice molding with too many coats of old white paint..

I agree Bob,

It does seem strange that the manufacturers are prepared to put such little time into case finishing - especially as it makes or breaks the look of the thing.
I understand that a real french polish, applied over many weeks, is far too expensive for your average piano. However for a special Bluthner like that, costing over $100k, you'd think it was worth it.

I've always hated the look of fine woods hidden under a sheet of cheap plastic.

It's as bad a seeing restored Rolls Royces where they use thick two-pack curing paint instead of multiple coat, hand rubbed cellulose finishes.

Crying shame.

When one finishes very ornate art case pianos as well as furniture,the chances of it being clearer as in not killing the grain,polyester or polyurethane is gonna be a better bet nowadays.Most refinishers doing lacquer whether satin or high gloss have a hard time in not killing the grain(too much sealer)milky effect. I think the new polyurethane is better than polyester in achieving the razor sharp edges and art case detail.Polyester rounds out the edges which most don't notice. Many manufactures don't do polyester on 100% of the piano. ex.Yamaha legs,music rack,lyre etc.
Observations over the years

I'm at liberty but, and more to the point, short on time. To answer your questions in detail would take more than I have available.

Each piano presents its own challenges and opportunities. Many of these pianos come from different heritages and, at least at one time, had different tone and performance character. I am attempting to change that and give them all some commonality.

I will be giving each of them as much backscale length as is practical. In general I am not changing the arrangement of the strings as that would require entirely new plate patterns. Right now we are concentrating on changes that can be made more quickly by modifying the plates. Some of these are rather extensive modifications but basic pattern continues. None of the redesigned scales will use tri-chord wrapped strings.

They are all getting new scales, new tenor and bass bridges, corrected hammer strikelines, etc.

ddf

Del,

Does the change on YC limit on the scale only?

Any changes in the manufacturing methods and also the choice of materials?

The changes are fairly extensive. See my earlier posts under this topic for some indication of what has been done.

I have made a number of changes in the assembly process to improve parts registration and alignment all designed to improve performance and, to some extent, appearance. The most significant materials change so far has been with the hammers. They are now Abel "Natural Felt" hammers; hard-press for the YC and medium-press for the Weber. (I should mention that their definition of "hard" is not nearly as hard as most. I wish there was another word they could use to describe them.) Some other materials may be changing as well but that is for another day.

ddf

Before this topic fades into oblivion I’d like to comment on some of the entertainment that is available offsite, but within walking distance, of the NAMM Convention Center.

On Saturday evening (if memory serves—everything NAMM becomes a blur after a while) we attended the Sauter reception and performance at the Hyatt about five or six blocks down Harbor Blvd. Ulrich had this new concert grand set up in a small hall where an absolutely outstanding jazz trio (piano, bass and drums) played for a couple of hours. The piano was (is) incredible, the music world-class and the food delicious, plentiful and fattening.

Attendance was disappointingly light but those who were there were enthusiastic and were treated to a memorable event.

I don’t know where that piano is going next but it’s an instrument worth following.

ddf

I hate to complain, but we want more photos. It seems to me you guys have done more drinking at this year's show--and not enough picture taking.

And eating...don't forget eating.

ddf

I'd have to agree with el ojo frio.

next time you guys need to take a full-frame dSLR camera.... then spend at least as much on memory cards as you spend on the camera... fill them with pics of the PIANOS at NAMM... then post them on here.

Ok, you want pictures, I got pictures (but I did get to eat and drink too:-)

Frank, t-dot suggested reportage re introductions. IMO this would generate interest on PW and would help us with our recommendations. Manufacturers also might like reportage. Perhaps a photographer might accompany the reportageur(s) - not that there's anything wrong with your snaps, as Seinfeld might say;-)

It's not all pianos...

I wish there's videos or recordings of those beautiful pianos.

tanjinjack you beat me to it! :t:
Anyhow was David Rubenstein there?

what grand is that make/model? (solo shot) on the red carpet? I love that 2 tone effect of the burlwood..

It seems to me that the fallboard name is covered. If you look at the picture more carefully, you will find that the place where we usually have the decal is slightly different in colour.

Anyway, it seems like it's a big model, judging from the over-sized casters.

Fazioli

If I'd known, we certainly would have attended (could have snuck out of the NPTA party early).

Guess my invitation must have arrived after I'd left Pompano Beach

Even though I'm an old rock musician, I get tired of the rock groups blasting so loud in the hotel lobbys that you can't hear yourself think.

I have to say though, the NPTA had a nice jazz trio, and a few of the talented members sat in and did a great job.