Someone posted this Video of Pan Yard making Steel Pans or Steel Drums, and I couldn't help but post it on WST for an open Discussion, Is this the right way, the correct way or the best way to make them  (I am hoping to learn some thing or things from this discussion) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eLLJ4VWmyY

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  • I have actually heard of the advance in replacing individual notes in an out-of-tuned Steelpan before. But I am curious to know and hear if they will maintain the harmonic overtones which Bertie Marshall pefected in his innovations. That sound is part of the unique complex nature of the Steelpan which makes the sound so hauntingly compelling.
    • Andre, my opinion bout this is, this technique is like buying Food from a Fast Food carry-out instead of getting the food Home-made, Nothing is better than Home-made or Home-grown, 

  • Bede, I have no problem with technology. We began tuning pans, others have decided to build them.

    In time to come metal will be tuned as individual notes and be welded unto a circular rim.

    That is not far fetched. In 1982 at California, Rudolph Charles removed the middle Bb from a double second and replaced the space with a piece of brass, and one could not tell the difference.

    If one adds science to any artistic skill one will always have an edge. On the other hand, Antonio Stradivari's violins from 300 years ago still defies the scientific approach of today's violins. 

  • According to the journalist Terry Joseph (RIP), while they might have been marching to the beat of a different drum, they were making money, hand over foot... http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=117735356&a...

    Oops, that link is broken, I got it here a while back... http://www.panonthenet.com/online/archive/2005/nov2005.htm
    • Try this one... https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/derumshoplime/conversations/top...

      It's a real crying and dying shame, T&T cannot get their proverbial act together to make the basic pans on a mass scale using the hydro forming process they invented, then have the resident Master Tuners apply the finishing touches to make the best possible steel pans, after all there is a fortune in pan, ent. And I am talking Steelpan, not G-Pan.
  • Doubt they will rank amongst the best as Master Tuners.
    https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum/topics/who-is-the-best-overall...
    But...
  • I heard one of PanYard play next to one tuned by Harrigan, whom they claimed the PanYard people had consulted/worked with. The finished sound was distinctly miles apart. Harrigan original sounded far superior, hands down. Not sure why, but maybe mass production had something~someting to do with it.
    https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum/topics/akron-company-panyard-i...
    • I would agree with you Andre, it's like eating outside food and comparing it with Home cook food, Home cook food any day,

  • Bede, let's say that there is more than one way,as long as the end result is a properly made and tuned pan.

  • Bede,I've seen this before. The guy on the double second (he is either Ron or Shelly) came to Trinidad in their early years and bought out many pans to resell in Ohio. We do part of that process from centering the drum, but not as many guidelines sometimes eight, then begin the singing process,sledge and electronic hammer,then the four or five circular lines after about a six inch depth,then we go for the 8 to 8 1/2 depth and the spread(width) in order for the ten plate to fit with the correct sizes of notes and enough room for the octaves,without being too close.Counter sinking is done on the outer lines and grooving takes 45 minutes or less,then the drum is tightened when the grooves are flushed. One man can complete within two normal days (16 hours) but usually the sinker who does the drawing will pass on to a groover,so he starts another. After we cut the drum and shape the notes,we do the heating to temper.All what they do is to me and many not necessary,but as usual they are selling themselves as the ones with the knowledge. If that is their approach then so be it.

    By the way, they are still buying tuned pans from Trinidad to resell.

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