I think it's important to know the type of hammer . Some hammers just shouldn't be hardened with chemicals, or it should be done very judiciously. How do you think you might have messed them up with the set up? Either way, I don't like keytop as a hardener, especially for firm up the underlying structure. I prefer lacquer, the strength will depend on the hammer. David Love davidlovepianos@earthlink.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Alan To: Pianotech Sent: 8/20/2003 1:33:37 PM Subject: RE: Dope needs dope dope I don't know what "cold-pressed" implies about hammers or whether these were made that way. I choose to not publicly identify the maker at this point because it may very well be my fault in improperly setting up these hammers. I will say that it is a well-known private maker of hammers who has, as far as I can tell, a very good reputation in the business. But also that I did order the specific hammers this maker recommended for the Big Beautiful(?) Baldwin 6000. Re: Mark Wisner's questions: My mixture is one plastic "A" keytop (with front) dissolved in roughly 8 oz. of acetone. I can see the piano as often as I need to. Alan R. Barnard Salem, MO -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Patrick C.Poulson Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 1:40 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Re: Dope needs dope dope Alan: my first question is: what kind of hammes are these? It sounds like you used cold-pressed ones. Patrick C. Poulson Registered Piano Technician Piano Technicians Guild ----- Original Message ----- From: Alan To: Pianotech ; Pianotech Sent: 8/20/2003 11:23 AM Subject: Dope needs dope dope I've made a batch of plastic keytop in acetone and am about to put it on the new bass hammers that I installed in a Baldwin 6000. Even after filing and many hours of playing, these hammers sound like mooshy marshmallows floofing up against the strings. Questions: How much dope per hammer? Where should I put it on the hammers and where should I NOT put it? Any other dope dope appreciated. Side note: I did the Randy Potter course and have picked up much at PTG chapter meetings and from you wonderful people on the list, but mostly it's been on-the-job, on-my-own, and learn-from-your-mistakes for me over the last three years. But it sure seems that there is a not very short list of things that reeeeeally should be learned with tutelage--and this includes voicing. I think it just isn't sufficient to read about techniques; you have to hear examples and learn to listen to subtleties that just aren't present in 98.632% of the neglected pianos in rural America. Most customers can't really hear or appreciate the difference and won't be paying for it. So there is precious little practice opportunity. THIS piano, however, demands attention and resides in the practice hall of some very professional musicians of the 399th Army Band. So I must venture! Next conference, I'm going to spend the bucks and get into every voicing workshop I can! Alan R. Barnard Salem, MO --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 8/19/2003 --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 8/19/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 8/19/2003
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