Rock Maple Hammer Cores

[Richard Brekne]

As long as Phil brought this up... what is the softest wood used 
commonly today for hammer cores ?

RicB

Phillip Ford wrote:

>Some time ago I saw a Bluthner piano with hammers having softwood cores (it 
>appeared to be some sort of pine).  Also the nose of the core was not a 
>sharp point, as is typical now, but a blunt rounded end.  The piano had a 
>beautiful tone.  I assumed that the reason we do not see softwood cores 
>these days was because of strength issues when pressing the hammers.  Would 
>there be other reasons?  Also, what's the point of the point on the nose of 
>the core?  Is it tonal, or is it to help in keeping the felt from moving 
>around when the hammers are pressed (or some other reason)?
>
>Phil Ford
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