A message that seeks assistance from WST Forum members:
Hello my name is Tom, I purchased a new pan from a company called Vista pan, it was their top of the line chrome series . As like the former pan I purchased from them the "b" note has no over ring or sustain as all the other notes of the scale. The company tells me that is how the "b" note is supposed to sound. The note is in tune but when I hit it is as a dud with no sustain. Could you tell me if that could be tuned by you to be like all the other note on the pan which have a nice sustaining ring. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this e-mail.
Replies
It is almost always possible to "fix" the note. The pan should have a consistent timbre in all the the notes. Check the note closest to the B (the Bb.) The fundamental should be well defined. There should be an octave harmonic in the front or back of the note (depending on the way that particular tuner constructs his notes.) The octave is extremely important. The octave harmonic has to be lined up with the mass of the note. If it is not, the mass loses its true sound and resonance. This sounds like your problem. This is why I suggest you check the Bb. It is the closest in size and structure to the B. If the Bb sounds reasonably well, find a tuner who can place those same characteristics that appear on the Bb note on the B note. There should also be either a 3rd, 4th, or 5th harmonic on the sides of the note. Hopefully those can be replicated as well.
You claim that the rest of the pan sounds well. If this is the case, the B should be able to be improved to your standards unless the size of the note is too small. Good luck! Ansel Joseph, Definite Pitch Steel Pans, www.definitepitchsteelpans.com
well done Ansel, when i told you of Tom's problem i knew he would get the kind of response from you that would help him. good luck Tom, i hope this information help's.
Good response, Felix, as opposed to the meaningless comment posted by Cecil. "Caveat emptor" is relevant to any product purchased anywhere in the world, pans in T&T included. I hope that Tom gets the customer satisfaction to which he is entitled.
I hope so to Ian. still think that people should check who they buy from.
1st) a harmonic could be out
2nd and most likely) the note needs to be broken in with time, playing and re-tuning
I think anyone buying a pan outside T&T should first check who they are buying it from, there could be people out there selling sub-standard instruments.
Hi
I think you should say to these people that you bought the pan from that they are talking a load of crapp.
Demand that they get this b note in sync with the other notes on the instrument or get your money back.
Regards
Felix