Hammers

[antares]

antares wrote:
> 
> André writes back:
> 
> Hi Less,
> As we all know, new hammers in old grands is not possible because of the weight.
> To make it a success nevertheless, I have several possibilities:
> 1. I go to the shop here in Amsterdam (where they sell all this kind of piano
> stuff), and I ask them for a new replacement.
> Their best offer always is an Abel light weight copy of old Bechsteins.
> This is a nice looking and good sounding hammer head. Sometimes even this hammer
> might be on the heavy side, so either hammer trimming or the use of extra weights
> might be necessary.
> 2. I send the hammers to the Factory I have a business realation with (Renner), and
> I ask them to re-felt the heads, but then only with their very best high-quality
> "Wurzen Filz". This is a felt they used to make in the old days for makers like
> Bechstein, Blüthner, Bösendorfer, Steinway, and many other well known makers.
> Because of the fact that the factory where they produced this very fine felt was
> situated in the East of (former and present) Germany, the production stopped under
> the political influence of Communism and the factory either closed or stopped
> producing this fine felt (the finesse of it I do not know).
> After the reunion of both Germanies, I visited the Renner Factory, where I showed
> examples of the past to an older technician.
> This fine gentleman, smiled and told me that from now on it would be possible to
> re-produce this felt and that I could order it on all my hammers.
> Which I did!
> 3. I can send sample hammers to (a) Factory (Renner in this case), and ask them
> politely to make an exact copy.
> This they did for me several times, and, because of their willingness to help in
> such a delicate matter, I am able to do my work as best as possible... i.e. making
> the right touch and the right sound.
> What more do we want?
> 
> Most friendly greetings from,
> André Oorebeek
> 
> Les Smith wrote:
> 
> > On Fri, 20 Feb 1998, antares wrote:
> >
> > > So, if you come across an old Bechstein with a cracked plate, and you consider
> > > it valuable enough, you could have somebody do the welding for you and, if
> > > done well, you might end up with a fine instrument (if you use the proper
> > > hammers that is).
> >
> > Hi, Andre. I am wording this question carefully, so relax. :) When _YOU_
> > rebuild a vintage Bechstein, which hammers do _YOU_ prefer to use and
> > why? If you'd rather reply off-list that's okay. Thanks.
> >
> > Les Smith
André writes back:

Hi Less,
As we all know, new hammers in old grands is not possible because of the weight.
To make it a success nevertheless, I have several possibilities:
1. I go to the shop here in Amsterdam (where they sell all this kind of piano
stuff), and I ask them for a new replacement.
Their best offer always is an Abel light weight copy of old Bechsteins.
This is a nice looking and good sounding hammer head. Sometimes even this hammer
might be on the heavy side, so either hammer trimming or the use of extra weights
might be necessary.
2. I send the hammers to the Factory I have a business realation with
(Renner), and
I ask them to re-felt the heads, but then only with their very best high-quality
"Wurzen Filz". This is a felt they used to make in the old days for makers like
Bechstein, Blüthner, Bösendorfer, Steinway, and many other well known makers.
Because of the fact that the factory where they produced this very fine felt was
situated in the East of (former and present) Germany, the production stopped under
the political influence of Communism and the factory either closed or stopped
producing this fine felt (the finesse of it I do not know).
After the reunion of both Germanies, I visited the Renner Factory, where I showed
examples of the past to an older technician.
This fine gentleman, smiled and told me that from now on it would be possible to
re-produce this felt and that I could order it on all my hammers.
Which I did!
3. I can send sample hammers to (a) Factory (Renner in this case), and ask them
politely to make an exact copy.
This they did for me several times, and, because of their willingness to help in
such a delicate matter, I am able to do my work as best as possible... i.e. making
the right touch and the right sound.
What more do we want?

Most friendly greetings from,
André Oorebeek

Les Smith wrote:

> On Fri, 20 Feb 1998, antares wrote:
>
> > So, if you come across an old Bechstein with a cracked plate, and you consider
> > it valuable enough, you could have somebody do the welding for you and, if
> > done well, you might end up with a fine instrument (if you use the proper
> > hammers that is).
>
> Hi, Andre. I am wording this question carefully, so relax. :) When _YOU_
> rebuild a vintage Bechstein, which hammers do _YOU_ prefer to use and
> why? If you'd rather reply off-list that's okay. Thanks.
>
> Les Smith