Boston Hammers, was: Interesting Piano Belly - Mehlin Grand

[Ron Nossaman]

>While I think that the soundboard assembly contributes to differences
>between pianos, I think the issue of so many varied and seemingly
>contradictory hammer techniques lies more in the differences between hammer
>sets (of the same manufacturer) and differences in individual technicians'
>conceptions and tastes in tone.

Absolutely, individual tastes and material differences from box to box are 
certainly a large part of it. However, it is the soundboard assembly, 
scaling, etc, that determine the potential that the voicer has to work 
with, with any given hammer set. And while I'm often amazed (sometimes 
impressed, sometimes disappointed) at either the voicing time and effort 
spent, the results obtained, or both, I'm still quite convinced that the 
soundboard assembly is a major player here.


Ron N