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Grand-Shaped Soundboard
Scientifically-designed
acoustical reflectors are shaped and located to reflect soundwaves back
into the center of the board, and to avoid the detrimental interference
due to corner reflection. The reflectors give the soundboard the more
optimum grand piano shape, enhancing the treble, providing longer sustain,
eliminating tubbiness in the bass, while helping provide clarity of
tone.
Crowned Soundboard
and Ribs
Selected
solid quart-sawn Bavarian or Sitka spruce with no less than eight annular
growth rings per inch. Ribs, liners and bridges are all carefully shaped
to insure a precise, permanently-crowned assembly. Feathered ribs are
positioned in a special fan-shaped pattern and are inset into notched
liners for unified construction. A catalytic varnish helps seal against
the effects of humidity changes.
Smooth Scaling
The scale
is the combination of string lengths, string diameters, and string tensions
for the purpose of obtaining the best musical sound. It is largely determined
mathematically and is observable in the finish piano by tone, note to
note consistency of sound, the blending of chords, and ease of tuning.
Scaling is especially important in notes just above and below where
the strings change angle, often called "the break".
Mr. Walter used
the Notre Dame computer facility to assist in the aspect of the Walter
Piano design. Tuners frequently comment on how easy the Walter piano
is to tune and how it may be "supertuned" even across the break. Smooth
scaling is a feature tat clearly sets the Walter piano in a class by
itself.
Full Size Studio
Action
Our heavy
duty, direct blow, studio size action gives a more sensitive, quick
response to the touch. It features fine-grained  buckskin
on the wear of points and long hammer shanks to increase the potential
power of the hammer blow. The action is regulated, settled, and then
carefully inspected and reregulated. Special materials are used to minimized
changes in the regulation due to use.
In our 14 pound
reinforced hammers we use only the highest quality Australian-wool felt.
Hammers are individually voiced and tone-regulated for uniformity in
sound throughout the piano.
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