As I've said before What <<evidence>> are we talking about here. Where is the experimentation done to support this claim. I rather think this stems more from the subjective opinion of technicians pre-disposed for whatever reasons to arrive at this conclusion. In any case find no compelling evidence that supports a claim that there is some connection between a reasonably healthy soundboard and types of hammers used. And I find this claim incompatable with previous claims I've heard in other contexts that hammers of both sorts can be made to achieve identical results. If that later was true in any sense of the word then the former simply is not. I wouldnt put a very hard Renner (or any other make) hammer on any piano. High quality Wurzens of the sort today availble do not qualify as hammers that are at all inappropriate or difficult to voice on any piano at all. Period. Its absurd to try and argue otherwise as clearly these are creating beautiful sounds. I have an A from 1890 roughly.. The old hammers roughly follow a number 5 SW curve, and they were of the soft type that clearly had been laquered. Ok... they were old and dead and not fair to compare... but the new Renner Wurzen set I just installed and finished voicing brought this piano so to thee degree to life. Amazed even me. Now this is a very old soundboard... and quite a weak one at that. Not much crown left, a few cracks, and other to be expected weaknesses. But the puppy sounds amazingly good. SW 's are between a 7 and 8 curve. What can I say... I offer only a contrasting experience and point of iew, and an observation about an apparent self contradiction. Not meant to tick anyone off... just another bob in the pool for the greater edification of the group. Of course each must find their own way. Goes with out saying. Cheers RicB David Love wrote: > The evidence of different soundboards (and soundboards in various > conditions) needing hammers of varying densities is so abundant in the > piano circles that I run in that I don't even know what to say to those > who are interested in this possibility except try it for yourself and > see. You wouldn't put a very hard Renner hammer designed for a > Boesendorfer on a piano that would sound best with a Ronsen soft Bacon > felt hammer--and there are many such examples out there. ........ snip.
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