Boston Hammers, was: Interesting Piano Belly - Mehlin Grand

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David writes: 
> but I've never had to lacquer a set of Renners (bottom 5 or
>>top 5 notes excepted) or needle the shoulders in a Steinway hammer to
>get more resilience because of a particular soundboard assembly.

Greetings, 
 I am with you on the Renners, but the STeinway hammers are not supposed to 
be needled anywhere but in the crown. (according to Fred Drasche and other 
factory personel).  
   As I look at the new Steinways,  I often see needle tracks going straight 
down into the supposedly "un-lacquered"  core, but rarely see the lower 
shoulders punctured.  Which makes sense, since the shoulders are usually 
completely solidified with hardener and the needle simply leaves a hole in 
the cement. 
Regards, 
Ed Foote RPt