Piano softer after regulation?

[thesuperguy]

My piano was in a total utter mess and I finally got the chance to call someone up to do a full repair/tuning/regulation. Everything is in working order now but the whole piano seems to have gotten softer. Almost as if a veil were put between the piano and my ears. Is this normal?

[lazyfingers]

Over time, the felt on the hammers get compressed. Other problems could be that the hammers become misaligned. Hence, old pianos tend to sound bright and even harsh.

If you have repaired/regulated your piano, it could be that the hammers were "voiced" where the felt is softened by separating the fibres with something called "voicing needles". Also, the felt could be reshaped by filing, and also how far the hammers move adjusted.

It is not surprising that the piano would sound softer and less bright. But if it is too soft for your taste, then maybe the adjustments have been carried out too far. In any case, it should NOT sound muffled.

[faulty_damper]

Hammers are incredibly variable as to the tones they produce.  However, it's also possible that it sounds just fine but since you were used to an overly bright tone, you simply aren't accustomed to the softer sound.

[silverwoodpianos]

The tone has changed from what the OP was used to. For others who have never heard the instrument there would not be any difference.

Regulation with hammer shaping and voicing takes a couple of days to get used to. What it does demonstrate is over time the OP got used to the deteriorating tone, becoming used to the instruments sound as the hammer set gradually aged. Then when the corrections come the change can be somewhat dramatic, as what has been forgotten is realized once again. This is very common with pianos and all sorts of other instruments.