Hammer felt loose from core

[Les Smith]

Good idea, Ted (and Newton). To that sage advice I would add the follow-
ing: This is a frequently encountered problem in later-made Aeolian
pianos. I don't know what they were using for glue, but it's not uncom-
mon to find Aeolian pianos, even those with names like Chickering, Knabe
and Mason & Hamlin made in the decade or so before their demise, with
20, 30, or more hammers with their felt comong unglued. The first step
is to replace the hammers-- all of them. The next step is to replace the
piano! Hammer-wise, the worst offenders are those with the junky light
green underfelt. I didn't think that it was possible to find worse hammers
than those found in mainland China's Pearl River pianos, but apparently
Aeolian did. I guess it just shows you what corporate determination can
accomplish! Aeolian who?

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net

On Mon, 26 Aug 1996, Ted Simmons wrote:

> A month or 2 ago we had a discussion about what to do about hammer felt
> that has broken away from the core.  I tried all of the glues that were
> suggested, tied the hammer up with heavy cord,let the glue dry overnight
> and in the morning cut away the cords.  Everything looked o.k. but about an
> hour later I discovered that the felt was slowly breaking away again.  I
> used Weldbond, Titebond, Super glue, contact cement, and epoxy.  None of
> them held.  So, Newton, I think it was you who said to replace the hammers.
> Pat yourself on the back.  That's what my next step is.
>
> Ted Simmons, Merritt Island, FL
>
>
>