Thumb tacks on hammers . . . .

[alzado]

I remember reading years ago that jazz pianists would press thumb tacks onto the hammers of  their pianos so as to produce more of a "rink a tink a tink" sound.

Is there any truth to that -- was it really done -- or is it just another "urban legend"?

Next . . . .

If someone were crazy enough to do this to an Steinway concert grand, would it have an adverse effect on the value, specifically   . . . . . .

#1 -- the value of the piano, and/or . .. 

#2 -- the value of the honky tonk tunes played thereon.

[allthumbs]

I remember reading years ago that jazz pianists would press thumb tacks onto the hammers of  their pianos so as to produce more of a "rink a tink a tink" sound.

Is there any truth to that -- was it really done -- or is it just another "urban legend"?

Next . . . .

If someone were crazy enough to do this to an Steinway concert grand, would it have an adverse effect on the value, specifically   . . . . . .

#1 -- the value of the piano, and/or . .. 

#2 -- the value of the honky tonk tunes played thereon.

I have heard of the thumb tack thing for the sound you were talking about. I'm not sure how much it was done in the past.

As far as doing this to a Steinway or any piano for that matter, is sheer lunacy. It not only can wreck the felts, but can damage the strings as well.

I wouldn't do it.


Cheers

allthumbs

[rob47]

and waht about the warranty

[cfortunato]

Yes, it was done.  I've played on one myself, in a recording studio that had one.  Actually it makes a rather cool sound, but I'm SURE it decreases the value of the piano.  The tack piano in the studio in question was a no-name spinnet, and I can't imagine doing it to something like a Steinway.

[Floristan]

Yes, I remember as a kid pianos with thumb tacks in the hammers -- always old uprights.  Honky tonk playing.  Curious effect.  Of course it destroys the hammers.

[kawaidon]

Hi gang,

Some hammers will be ruined by putting tacks into them.  Some hammers might be improved slightly . . .

As for value, it's simply a matter of whether the hammers have been destroyed by the rather large hold in the tip.

When I was a teenager I did this on our family's old upright - hey, my first voicing job!  It was fun to goof around playing with the tacks on, then when I took them off the piano was suprisingly mellow sounding, and not too even.  It was such an awful piano, I didn't care much at the time.

Doing this to a fine piano would be very damaging.  Unless you want to leave the tacks there, in which case it would just boil down to a matter of taste!

[allthumbs]

Doing this to a fine piano would be very damaging.  Unless you want to leave the tacks there, in which case it would just boil down to a matter of taste!

A matter of taste for what? You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter!

[alzado]

Allthumbs writes--

"A matter of taste for what? You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter! "

How about for playing a version of "the Anvil Chorus" --?

[cfortunato]

[[You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter!]]

Honky-tonk IS serious music.

[zorba]

Saw/played an old upright at the Marysville Thousand Trails preserve many years ago that had this done - sounded REALLY cool! My mother played Moonlight Sonata on it, definitely different!

The tacks were eventually removed...

-Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
https://www.doubleveil.net

[allthumbs]

Allthumbs writes--

"A matter of taste for what? You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter! "

How about for playing a version of "the Anvil Chorus" --?

Good one! OK, you got me there!

[[You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter!]]

Honky-tonk IS serious music.

I never said it wasn't, but I don't think they used tacks on their pianos.
BTW, I like the honky-tonk style of playing, with a pint or two especially.


Cheers

allthumbs

[kawaidon]

A matter of taste for what? You can't be suggesting that such a procedure would somehow be worthy of consideration for playing classical pieces or any serious music for that matter!

He he - I never said anything about GOOD taste, did I?

[allthumbs]

He he - I never said anything about GOOD taste, did I?

True, true...