Extreme piano mods

[mshilarious]

Today I pulled the lower cover panel (below the keys) off my humble Everett upright, and man did that unmuffle the tone of the lower registers. This probably isn't as big of a deal on nicer pianos that aren't made out of MDF , but it was a big improvement for me.

Problem is I can't leave the panel off, or I risk damage to the pedal mechanisms inflicted by my many children.

So the question is, does anybody have experience with routing soundholes in such panels? How many, what shape, etc.? I figure since MDF is so non-resonant, the more the merrier

 

[mshilarious]

On the subject of mods, anybody ever weight key on an unweighted keyboard? Any idea how much weight is right? I'm thinking maybe the weights for ceiling fans might work.

 

[LfO]

On the subject of mods, anybody ever weight key on an unweighted keyboard? Any idea how much weight is right? I'm thinking maybe the weights for ceiling fans might work.

I was under the impression that "weighted keys" were also designed with more resistance. If you just add weights, its seems like it would just increase you're velocity and delay you're release... I'm just thinking out loud here.

 

[SKYflyer]

i think honky tonk piano sounds are created by putting thumbtacks into the ends of the hammers of the piano so that the thumbtacks make contact with the strings.

Also, this one guy, i forget who, experiments with putting all sorts of weird objects in the strings of his piano and into its hammers.

Maybe not exactly what this thread is about, but meh!

PS: yeah im seeming to agree with the guy above me concerning the weights. O_O

 

[mshilarious]

i think honky tonk piano sounds are created by putting thumbtacks into the ends of the hammers of the piano so that the thumbtacks make contact with the strings.

Also, this one guy, i forget who, experiments with putting all sorts of weird objects in the strings of his piano and into its hammers.

Maybe not exactly what this thread is about, but meh

Ah yes, the prepared piano! I remember that--had to look it up though, of course it was John Cage.

 

[mshilarious]

. . . and six months later I finally got around to trying the weighted keys bit. I used self-adhesive wheel weights, 1/2 oz on each key (whites only, I couldn't figure out how to get to the black keys), and it worked great! The feel of the keyboard is 300% better. Still not quite as good as a factory weighted keyboard as the springs aren't that strong, but it's much better than the stock plasticy switchy feel.

In fact I bought a box of these weights for $18, I only needed about a quarter of the box, so if anybody else wants to try this, PM me and I'll send you the weights for the cost of postage. I have enough left for 3 or 4 people

 

[c7sus]

Tom Constantin (TC) did a lot of prepared piano with the Dead in the 60's too.

 

[dgatwood]

I was under the impression that "weighted keys" were also designed with more resistance. If you just add weights, its seems like it would just increase you're velocity and delay you're release... I'm just thinking out loud here.

You're thinking about it backwards. A key in a piano (and to some extent, a keyboard) is like a seesaw. You have a pivot in the center, and when you press down on one end, the other end comes up. To weight a keyboard, you add weights to the opposite end of the key so that when you press down, the weight is pushing down against you on the opposite end of the lever.

 

[mshilarious]

Well, on my keyboard the pivot point is on the opposite end, so the only way to "weight" that side would be with a stiffer spring, but I don't think that would help the feel. Pianos are complex; there is less "aftertouch" resistance because the hammer isn't fully reset. Perhaps adding weigh to the key end helps simulate that. Whatever the explanation, it feels better than stock.