Miking Piano Strings?

[sublamp]

Hello Everyone!
A piano fell out of a truck on my street a while ago, leaving the soundboard unharmed beneath a pile of broken keys and splintered wood. Best day of my life! I've been trying to figure out the best way to record this thing, but the results have sounded pretty weak so far. Any advice on miking (micing? mic'ing?) a piano soundboard? I have a Rode NT1-A and a Shure Beta 57a, not the best selection but better than nothing. What would you guys suggest I use?
Thanks!
-Ryan

[jimmy behan]

hi ryan,
is it an upright or a grand?
would love to see some pics if you got any.
how busted up is it?

[sublamp]

Hi Jimmy,
It WAS an upright. All the mechanical parts are shattered so it's basically a big flat harp nailed to a block of wood now.

[sublamp]

Here's a picture (not sure how to insert it into the post):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sublamp/4274463669/

[steinbruchel]

Here's a picture (not sure how to insert it into the post):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sublamp/4274463669/

that looks amazing... wish that would have fallen in front of my feet 

[billygomberg]

yr probably going to have to play around, as you don't have the architecture to properly resonate and amplify the sound of the strings.  this also depends on how to intend to "play" the piano strings.

[sublamp]

I've tried plucking the strings with a guitar pick, and wedging a wooden dowl between the strings and twisting it (which sounded amazing). I think I'm going to pick up a rubber mallet to strike the strings to get a more piano-ish sound. I believe the back is hollow and acts as the resonator so it gets pretty loud still. I'm just not sure where to stick the mic, up close or a few feet back? Overhead or behind? At the bridge?
Yeah I felt so lucky finding this thing! Couldn't help but think of the harmonium from Punch Drunk Love of course.

[jimmy behan]

ooh that looks like lots of fun!
experimenting with contact mics might be an idea, maybe with an ebow.

[billygomberg]

ooh that looks like lots of fun!
experimenting with contact mics might be an idea, maybe with an ebow.

or some rosin a la Ellen Fullman.

yr probably going to have to try a combination of close-miking and room recording...assuming you got it inside!

[sublamp]

Ebow! Of course 
I had never heard of Ellen Fullman before, she puts rosin on her fingers to bow strings? Amazing!
Yeah I managed to get it inside on a dolly and have it leaning against a wall in my studio now. It wont stand up on it's own so miking it from behind wont really work.
I think you're right Billy, I'll just have to try a combination until I find something that works.

[mfischer]

hey ryan,
contact micing could be very cool. i'd love to hear any samples of your experiments with it.

[Guy Birkin]

At the Big Chill festival last summer, there was a bloke playing the insides of an overstrung upright piano mounted to a mobile cart, and he let me have a go on it too! He mainly used beaters, but also resin-ed strings as a kind of flexible bow: Thread string behind a piano string and 'bow' it. You could also thread around more than one string to get a two-note chord. Another nice trick he used was to lay chains over the strings - those things that drummers sometimes use on a hat or ride (looks like bath plug chain).

[billygomberg]

there is an Australian who makes performances and recordings from salvaged pianos...I can't recall his name off the top of my head - I'll check my stacks when I get home - his recordings/techniques would be worth investigating as well.  gah crappy adult memory.

[sublamp]

Rosin on a string is a great idea... I'm definitely trying that! My favorite part about this thing is that you get a massive amount of sympathetic resonance from it since the string dampers all fell off. My dog barked next to the piano the other day and you could totally hear the details of her bark reverberating in the strings, very weird. I'm going to try miking it and playing guitar from across the room to see what kind of textures I can conjure up without touching the strings.
Marc, I'll send you some samples if anything works 

[billygomberg]

there is an Australian who makes performances and recordings from salvaged pianos...I can't recall his name off the top of my head - I'll check my stacks when I get home - his recordings/techniques would be worth investigating as well.  gah crappy adult memory.

ok his name is Ross Bolleter.  thanks to Anne for remembering that one.