Hammers

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Steinway is going to be of no help at all where action parts are concerned. They don't
make them or stock them. If you do need any, you'll have to use the Japanese parts handled
by several of the suppliers.

As far as hammers are concerned, sorry, but yes there is a difference. And, yes, cold
pressed hammers will probably give the piano somewhat closer to the original sound than
will the more modern hot (and, I might add, HARD) pressed hammers. At least they wouldn't
try to turn the piano into a modern hard-rocker. If you want cold pressed hammers, check
out Ronsen, they still press cold. Also, we've been trying Isaacs hammers of late, which
seem to have at least some of the characteristics of cold pressed hammers, and are quite a
bit more consistent than are Ronsen's. You might also consider Steinway hammers. Even
though they are pressed in heated cauls, they use excellent felt and seem to have good
elasticity. If you get them before the factory does their shaping thing they can be quite
nice. You will have to do most of the post-press work on them yourself, however. With
grand hammers this means you would have to taper them, bore them, shape the tails, etc.
I'm not sure what condition you would get vertical hammers in, at the least you'd have to
bore them and probably trim the hammer moldings to match the original length. We would
also taper them, at least through the upper third of the tenor section, to reduce mass.
(As did many of the early upright builders, by the way.)

Del

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Keith McGavern wrote:

> >Dear List,
> >        I would like to ask the opinion of those who wish to reply.
> >I just took in an old Steinway studio action for hammer replacement
> >and some repinning.  It seems to have the larger cold pressed
> >hammers.  What would you use to replace them?  If I understand
> >correctly all I can get nowadays is hot pressed.  Is this true?  Will
> >I have weight change considerations?  Can any of you recommend a
> >certain brand?...
> >                                        Greg Newell
>
> If you want it to have genuine Steinway parts, Greg, order from Steinway.
> Otherwise, Brooks, Ltd. can supply you with quality hammers, *and* you can
> send samples of the old to get the best possible match.   This would help
> in reducing possible weight change considerations.  Some of the supply
> houses also offer very nice sets of hammers.  About the cold pressed vs.
> hot pressed hammers thing, I wouldn't be concerned.
>
> Keith A. McGavern
> kam544@ionet.net
> Registered Piano Technician
> Oklahoma Chapter 731
> Piano Technicians Guild
> USA