[CAUT] Hammers

[David Love]

It's not just the hammer, it really depends on the piano.  I just completed
the final set up and voicing of a Fandrich design on a Steinway O that
needed only Ronsen bacon felt and produced ample power, brightness, sustain,
projection through the upper treble without lacquer.  A Renner Blue would
have been way too hard.

It's smart to test some samples and see. 

There are many hammer makers producing decent hammers.  In order from soft
to hard, for example, Ronsen Bacon, Isaac, Ronsen Wurzen, Abel Select,
Renner Premium Blue, Renner others, Abel others.  There are other hammers as
well.  Steinway hammers are more of a mystery now since they are apparently
prelacquering them.  They used to be softer than Ronsen Bacon felt.  Within
each group there will be some variation from set to set, less in some than
others.  Some hammers that were once quite hard (like Yamaha) are not nearly
as hard in the current pressing.  The same is true of Kawai hammers.
Whereas I would not have chosen Yamaha or Kawai hammers in years past even
for their own pianos, the newer versions are much more workable and are
capable of producing a very nice tone on the right piano (theirs).  Any of
these might be appropriate depending on the piano, scale, soundboard design
or condition.  My advice is don't get locked into single hammer thinking.
Assess the tonal needs of the piano and player individually and use that
information to make a choice.  It's harder and requires more experience, but
you'll save yourself a lot of work and headaches.  Gather a few samples from
various types (most suppliers will provide them if you ask) and test the
differences in various sections first.  It's not always easy to determine
the sound of an entire set from a few samples, but you'll get an idea.  It
takes more time, but it will be worth the effort.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
central
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:48 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] Hammers

Hello,
     Of all the brands of hammers available, which ones do you feel offer
the greatest power, sustain, projection, without sacrificing quality, for
the upper treble?
-Mike Jorgensen

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