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Just scored an early Sparkletop!

Started by voltergeist, September 24, 2013, 10:23:43 AM

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voltergeist

Below is the block of aluminum I'll be machining into a kickplate.

After some more testing, I determined that the Boosta Grande is not breaking up, it was overdriving the inputs on the Looker. 

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Kick plate surfaced, drilled, countersunk, and milled out the back.  Still need to take another 3/32 off the back and polish it.















Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Thanks to bjammerz I've got an original faceplate for it.

Had an aha! moment today when I connected a few facts:
1. The single external speaker jack is of no use.
2. The cup above the faceplate was originally intended to house the external speaker jack.
3.  That's two potential jacks, but I need one for line out and two for line ins
4.  I could use a dual-switch stereo jack (Rhodes headphone jack) to get the stereo line ins.
5.  Aha!  I can have all my line in/outs without building an additional jack plate into the baffle.

I was pleased to discover the original lamp still works on the faceplate.

I guess this thread is a bit like "watching the sausage being made".  Or perhaps like watching paint dry given the likely duration of the project.

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

I've further refined my I/O plan.  Rather than having a single line out, I'm planning to make it a mono send/return instead (also using a headphone switching jack).  This way, if one wanted to hook up a mono guitar pedal like a Phase 90, it could be brought back in mono, so no splitter and/or additional level boost would be needed as would be required to bring the signal back in on power amp inputs.  The send/return is before the level boost via the Boosta Grande, so the send level will be compatible with guitar effects pedals, and the return would still be boosted to appropriate line level.  A mono-out stereo-in setup would still be possible, too.  The mono send would be on the tip, so a mono cable could be used if one is not using the return (i.e. using the stereo power amp inputs to bring the signal back in instead).  Also, in a live situation where one wanted an out to a DI but still use the cabinet, the send would go to the DI, the DI split would go back in the return, and there you go. 

Here's the schem:

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Ben Bove

Hey the amp block looks good on there!  Glad it worked out, the project is coming along!
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voltergeist

Quote from: bjammerz on November 04, 2013, 02:54:08 PM
Hey the amp block looks good on there!  Glad it worked out, the project is coming along!

Yeah, thanks again, Ben.  That was a key part!
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Wired up a PlugLock to the AC input for power distribution.  Made a panel-mount bottom plate for the Boosta Grande and got that installed.

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Phase 90 in the insert.



Out the send and into the stereo power amp inputs.









Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Kick plate and pedal polished and buffed.

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

goldphinga

amazing work, really enjoying watching the progress!! superb

voltergeist

Buffed all the keys.  Photo below shows before/after buffing (buffed starting at the lowest key).

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Hammers after sanding out the grooves.



Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Student Rhodes

Looks great!
I'm hoping I'll be able to salvage the hammers on one of my student models.
Did you take strike point location into account when you reshaped the felt head?
Ray

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 27, 2014, 03:05:56 PM
Looks great!
I'm hoping I'll be able to salvage the hammers on one of my student models.
Did you take strike point location into account when you reshaped the felt head?
Ray
Thanks!  Yeah, I tried to maintain the hammer shape and strike point as much as possible.  I've got the lowest 3/4 of the piano sounding and playing really well, so I think my hammer sanding came out ok.  Sanding the hammers had a noticeable positive impact, solving some poorly ringing notes and dull tone.     

The high 1/4 is a royal PITA.  The highest 1/4 was trouble before sanding and I had hoped removing the grooves would solve some of the problems, but I didn't really notice a change for better or worse.  Still struggling with those high notes.  Dialing in the high notes on Mk1/Mk2's can suck, but this thing is much worse.  Maybe I just haven't found the trick.

Setting the dampers is key, and another PITA on these pianos.  You can really feel it in the action if the bridle strap tension isn't there when the key is first depressed.  There's no harp hinge, so it's a pain to even get to the dampers.  I ended up going across the piano and putting tape on the key, either on one end of the key or the other, to indicate which way to adjust the damper.  Then I'd adjust, test, and repeat.  When a damper was adjusted correctly, I removed the tape.  I got them all adjusted after about 5 times through this cycle.   
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Student Rhodes

Quote from: voltergeist on January 27, 2014, 03:32:03 PM
Setting the dampers is key, and another PITA on these pianos.  You can really feel it in the action if the bridle strap tension isn't there when the key is first depressed.  There's no harp hinge, so it's a pain to even get to the dampers.  I ended up going across the piano and putting tape on the key, either on one end of the key or the other, to indicate which way to adjust the damper.  Then I'd adjust, test, and repeat.  When a damper was adjusted correctly, I removed the tape.  I got them all adjusted after about 5 times through this cycle.   

I think these are just some of the reasons techs hate the silver Sparkle tops.

I looked through your photobucket and found this picture...
http://s248.photobucket.com/user/Insectoid_Control/media/20131125_201222.jpg.html

I noticed the key numbers are very dark.  Did you color them in with a pen or something?  Looks good, and would probably come in handy with my old eyes.

Ray

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 27, 2014, 03:37:22 PM

I looked through your photobucket and found this picture...
http://s248.photobucket.com/user/Insectoid_Control/media/20131125_201222.jpg.html

I noticed the key numbers are very dark.  Did you color them in with a pen or something?  Looks good, and would probably come in handy with my old eyes.

Yeah, I use a fine tip marker to draw in the numbers before I take the keys out to make them easier to read. 
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

The Real MC

Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 27, 2014, 03:37:22 PM
I think these are just some of the reasons techs hate the silver Sparkle tops.

...and I for one am glad not to deal with that problem, for a former owner had replaced the felt hammer set in my sparkletop with plastic/wood set.

QuoteI looked through your photobucket and found this picture...
http://s248.photobucket.com/user/Insectoid_Control/media/20131125_201222.jpg.html

Those look like the Wurlitzer full wood key sets.  Don't see those often.  I had a set of Pratt-Read full wood sets and there is a difference.

Student Rhodes

Quote from: The Real MC on January 27, 2014, 11:25:05 PM
Those look like the Wurlitzer full wood key sets.  Don't see those often.  I had a set of Pratt-Read full wood sets and there is a difference.

Didn't Wurli do the run of 76/77 keys that crack like nobody's business?  Maybe the later keys?  Those keys definitely have a different feel than the 74/75 full wood P-R keys.    The problem with the P-R full wood keys is the discoloration of the front skirt plastic from UV light, but I'll take that over cracking any day.

These also look like they've been lacquered.  Voltergeist, did you lacquer you keys as well?  I like the look.
Ray

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 28, 2014, 12:39:21 PM
Quote from: The Real MC on January 27, 2014, 11:25:05 PM
These also look like they've been lacquered.  Voltergeist, did you lacquer you keys as well?  I like the look.
Ray

No lacquer.  Just buffed.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Making some progress dialing in the top 1/4 of the harp.  I tried doubling up the grommet felts, which seemed to help.  I also found they would ring better with the player-side tonebar screw turned down pretty far and hardly any downpressure from the audience-side tonebar screw. 

The original hardware comes back from re-plating tomorrow (according to UPS tracking).  It took a few calls to find someone who could do bright nickel on pieces as large as those '64 legs.  These are the guys I ended up going with, I guess tomorrow I'll get to see how they did:

http://www.badgermetalfinishing.com/
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Loucas

Just AMAZING work over the piano my friend.
And those rare legs ......i look them more than my wife's:D !

Student Rhodes

Quote from: voltergeist on January 28, 2014, 03:37:32 PM
Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 28, 2014, 12:39:21 PM
Quote from: The Real MC on January 27, 2014, 11:25:05 PM
These also look like they've been lacquered.  Voltergeist, did you lacquer you keys as well?  I like the look.
Ray

No lacquer.  Just buffed.

I meant the wooden key stem, not the tops.  They look like they have a matte finish on the.  Did you buff the wood as well?

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 29, 2014, 02:54:01 PM
Quote from: voltergeist on January 28, 2014, 03:37:32 PM
Quote from: Student Rhodes on January 28, 2014, 12:39:21 PM
Quote from: The Real MC on January 27, 2014, 11:25:05 PM
These also look like they've been lacquered.  Voltergeist, did you lacquer you keys as well?  I like the look.
Ray

No lacquer.  Just buffed.

I meant the wooden key stem, not the tops.  They look like they have a matte finish on the.  Did you buff the wood as well?

Oh, that's just buffing compound dust in the wood.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

The Real MC

Quote from: voltergeist on January 29, 2014, 12:42:11 PMI also found they would ring better with the player-side tonebar screw turned down pretty far and hardly any downpressure from the audience-side tonebar screw.

I have found the same thing on some tonebars, not all.  Sparkletops are finicky pianos, more finicky than Mark I and later rhodes.

voltergeist

Quote from: The Real MC on January 29, 2014, 08:16:28 PM
Quote from: voltergeist on January 29, 2014, 12:42:11 PMI also found they would ring better with the player-side tonebar screw turned down pretty far and hardly any downpressure from the audience-side tonebar screw.

I have found the same thing on some tonebars, not all.  Sparkletops are finicky pianos, more finicky than Mark I and later rhodes.

Yes, that's consistent with what I've found.  What works on some, or most, doesn't work on all.  And yes, very finicky.  I've made some good progress on the high notes in the last few days, though.

I think doubling up grommet felts provides a real improvement.  High note ringing became more controllable and forgiving.   Haven't tried it on areas of the harp other than the high notes (and I'm currently out of balance rail felts), but I suspect it may be an improvement across the board (to be determined). 

I also found that MkI/II tonebar clips *can* be applied to the square tonebars.  I ground off the bottom lips of the clip to make them take up less space, and used a slip ring tool to hold the clip open when applying them.  I'm not entirely sure of the efficacy of using tonebar clips on square tonebars, though.  They don't slide like they do on MkI/II tonebars, so determining optimal position is difficult and tedious.  As I refine the harp adjustments I hope to get a better idea as to whether or not there's a real benefit from the clips.  More to come.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Original hardware back from re-plating.  Looks good, except one leg came back with a significant flaw.  The other one turned out well.  All the small hardware looks good, though I haven't finished inspecting them all.  The plater agreed to re-do the flawed leg no charge, so no big deal other than some extra hassle.



Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

kphlx2000

Man, the hardware looks beautiful. I wish you could get those legs replicated for me. ;)

Kenneth
Fender Rhodes Collector/Music Producer/Recording Engineer

Student Rhodes

Quote from: voltergeist on February 03, 2014, 04:03:49 PM
Original hardware back from re-plating.

What did this cost you?  I just took the legs I had made for my Gold Sparkle 73 to be chromed, and they wanted a hundred bucks each.  Here in California, there just aren't as many places doing that work because of EPA standards.
Ray

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on February 05, 2014, 08:18:37 PM

What did this cost you?  I just took the legs I had made for my Gold Sparkle 73 to be chromed, and they wanted a hundred bucks each.  Here in California, there just aren't as many places doing that work because of EPA standards.
Ray

Yeah, it was not cheap.  I had all the corners (qty 16), all the handle ends (qty 12), and the legs (qty 2) replated.  Total was around $500.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Quote from: kphlx2000 on February 05, 2014, 07:55:06 PM
Man, the hardware looks beautiful. I wish you could get those legs replicated for me. ;)

Kenneth

Thanks, Kenneth.  I would think they'd be straightforward to fabricate, at least in theory.  It's just tubing with two bends, a few holes, the ends of the tube pressed flat, and plated.  I think they're better looking than the aluminum legs, myself.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Got the high notes ringing.  The harp is sounding good, and the piano plays well.  The old girl is getting close to returning to the world of the living.  Still refining the harp, but oh how far it's come.  See video below for demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVKu-NWzuc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

The Real MC

Sounds good.  Try a shim under the bass end of the harp, it improves the bass notes with more "fur" on the tone like the later pianos.  If you like it then you have to adjust the dampers to the new position.

voltergeist

Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Quote from: voltergeist on February 09, 2014, 05:55:29 PM
I had a breakthrough today.  Anyone with a sparkletop should watch this vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yiiCJttk60&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This tone bar screw/grommet/washer arrangement (on the right in the photo below) is the real deal.    When I made this change the high notes rang pure and strong- and I had previously struggled to get them to ring at all.  I still can't quite believe the difference.  The whole harp seems to benefit from from this arrangement.  It appears to significantly reduce damping of the tonebars by the screw and grommet, resulting in improved sustain, volume, definition, and bite.

  I'll post a separate thread on the subject after I've done some more experimenting.


Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Tine-E

This setup could be worth trying on the other Rhodes...

voltergeist

Washers on both screws even better.  This mod is gold. 
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

Quote from: Tine-E on February 09, 2014, 08:17:14 PM
This setup could be worth trying on the other Rhodes...

Yeah, that would be interesting.  I wouldn't expect as much of a benefit when applied to a MkI/II, but it's worth trying.  A little better is still better.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Student Rhodes

Do you have any footage of the piano before the mod?
It'd be interesting to hear the tonal difference and compare.
I'm going to be re-doing a mid-'60s Raymac/Teardrop piano, and I'm anticipating a lot of work to get proper sound out of it.
Hope you post another clip when you're done.

voltergeist

Quote from: Student Rhodes on February 10, 2014, 12:09:59 AM
Do you have any footage of the piano before the mod?
It'd be interesting to hear the tonal difference and compare.
I'm going to be re-doing a mid-'60s Raymac/Teardrop piano, and I'm anticipating a lot of work to get proper sound out of it.
Hope you post another clip when you're done.

The first vid I posted is before the mod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVKu-NWzuc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The second vid demonstrates before and after, though on middle notes only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yiiCJttk60&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Another thing I did to the high notes (and I'll do to the rest of the harp when more felts arrive) was to double up the grommet felts.  Both the washer mod and the double felts serve the same purpose; to improve the mechanical isolation of the tonebar, thus reducing the dampening effects of the mounting system.  This improves sustain and tone, since the tonebar is more free to vibrate.  What you get is the real sound of the tonebar, with the sustain and overtones that are normally stunted by the mounting arrangement. 

The only downside to the mod I can see is that you lose the self-centering effect of the screw head sitting in the countersink.  The self-centering keeps the tonebar from directly contacting the screw.  The felts in my arrangement (especially when doubled) seem to keep the tonebar in a stable position relative to the screws, so it doesn't seem to be a problem.  It's something I'm keeping an eye on, though.  The ideal washer would have a cone-shaped bottom and a flat top, I think (unless some of the benefit of the mod derives from NOT having the grommet seated in the countersink).
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

The Real MC

Be careful how much ringing you bring out.  I used my sparkletop with the jazz band and the trumpet player said that the high notes were overbearing.

voltergeist

Quote from: The Real MC on February 10, 2014, 01:06:32 PM
Be careful how much ringing you bring out.  I used my sparkletop with the jazz band and the trumpet player said that the high notes were overbearing.

That sounds like a relative volume issue (or perhaps an amplification/eq issue), not a sustain or ringing issue (unless they weren't ringing true and didn't sound pleasing). 

I tend to make a distinction between sustain and ringing.  Sustain referring how long the note rings (of course), "Ringing" referring to the tonal quality.  Sparkletops seem to be especially prone to nasty harmonics on the high notes.  That's why I'm so keen on this mod-  both the sustain and the tonal quality are improved.  The high notes in the second vid are textbook high-note tone; pure and pleasing with >3 second sustain.  Anyone who's tried to get good tone and sustain out of a sparkletop's high octave should realize what an accomplishment that is.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

Tine-E

Quote from: voltergeist on February 09, 2014, 09:18:18 PM
Quote from: Tine-E on February 09, 2014, 08:17:14 PM
This setup could be worth trying on the other Rhodes...

Yeah, that would be interesting.  I wouldn't expect as much of a benefit when applied to a MkI/II, but it's worth trying.  A little better is still better.

WILL TRY IT ON MY 1977 STAGE 73! AND IF IT DOES RING BETTER, WILL DO IT ON MY 72 STAGE 88.

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A SOFT MATERIAL SUCH AS FELT WOULD ABSORB VIBRATIONAL ENERGY AND DISSIPATE THE RINGING....BUT THIS PROVES OTHERWISE!

Student Rhodes

Has anyone ever tried rubber grommets on a Sparkle Top? 
I wonder if grommets from a Mk I would fit...

voltergeist

Quote from: Tine-E on February 10, 2014, 09:51:02 PM
Quote from: voltergeist on February 09, 2014, 09:18:18 PM
Quote from: Tine-E on February 09, 2014, 08:17:14 PM
This setup could be worth trying on the other Rhodes...

Yeah, that would be interesting.  I wouldn't expect as much of a benefit when applied to a MkI/II, but it's worth trying.  A little better is still better.

WILL TRY IT ON MY 1977 STAGE 73! AND IF IT DOES RING BETTER, WILL DO IT ON MY 72 STAGE 88.

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A SOFT MATERIAL SUCH AS FELT WOULD ABSORB VIBRATIONAL ENERGY AND DISSIPATE THE RINGING....BUT THIS PROVES OTHERWISE!

I would start by just replacing the screws with wood screws and see if that's an improvement.  Focus on high note(s)- a mix of ones that sound ok/good and poorly ringing ones (if you only focus on problem notes you may not be evaluating the mod properly, since the problem could be something unrelated to tonebar isolation).  Next I might try combining a felt with the rubber grommet, say between the rubber grommet and the washer.  I might also try a stackup of rubber grommet/washer/felt(s)/washer/screw.  I'll probably experiment with this, too.  If you try it, let us know what you did and what, if any, effect it had.
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270

voltergeist

I did some more work last night (more felts arrived), and settled on a high-octave tonebar isolation arrangement:  three felts and a washer. 

For the high notes, basically I found that a washer combined with a felt was (much) better than just felt.  Then, I found two felts and a washer was better than one felt and a washer.  Then, I found that three felts and a washer was better than two felts and a washer.

Two felts and a washer on both screws seems to do the trick for the rest of the harp.  So, now I've got two felts and a washer on the bottom 3/4 of the harp, and three felts and a washer on the top 1/4 of the harp. 

On the low octave, I'm going to try going back to just one felt and a washer on the player-side screw (keeping two felts and a washer on the audience-side screw).  Tone and sustain are really good with the current arrangement, but I want to see if stiffer mounting on the player-side of bass notes improves tine stability (say, like the way "tine stabilizers" benefit low notes on a MkI/II).  Given how the isolation arrangement varies from low-to-high (springs heavy to light), it seems reasonable that the optimal arrangement for the lowest notes may not be identical to the optimal arrangment for the highest notes.  To be determined.

So, still some work to do to determine the optimal arrangement by zone, but the fact remains that this mod is a significant improvement to the sparkletop harp. 
Restored or Overhauled: '65 A-model Sparkletop, '78 Suitcase 73, early-'75 Satellite 88, '81 MkII Stage 73, two '77 Mk1 Stage 73's, '74 Mk1 Stage 73
In Progress: 1 '78 Suitcase (2nd one), '70 KMC - Customized w/ Peterson 4x12, '77 Wurli 270