Refelting antique hammers

[Stéphane Collin]

Hello Mark.

Maybe there is someone in north America.  If not, Abel (Germany) is the way 
to go.  I myself had 100 % good refelting experience with them.  They 
propose made to measure refelting in soft, medium or hard pressed wool, 
retaining or not on demand the underfelts.  They do the job in 3 weeks.  For 
an old Steinway 1873, you want soft pressed felt, methink.  Just give the 
wanted bore distance, which you get by subtracting the hammers center pins 
heigth from the string heigth, both measured from the action bed.

http://www.abel-pianoparts.de/

Renner does this also and can use Wurzen AA felt, but need 6 weeks.  I have 
no experience with those, but I will certainly give them a try in the near 
future.

Best regards.

Stéphane Collin.





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Schecter" <schecter at pacbell.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 8:32 PM
Subject: Refelting antique hammers


> Hi, all.
>
> I have a very old pre-D Steinway 9', about 1873 or so, with a few high 
> treble hammers worn through to the wood. The owner is very attached to the 
> tone of the piano in general, which is rather soft and sweet, not nearly 
> as powerful as a more modern piano. I am considering refelting just the 
> top section, so as to preserve what's still working without rebuilding the 
> action, and because that's really all the piano needs for his purposes. I 
> don't think leather will get past his aesthetic filter.
>
> A couple months back, there was some discussion of refelting hammers. I 
> would like to know who offers this service. Is there anyone in North 
> America? Has anyone here ever tried to do this him/herself? Thanks for any 
> info.
>
> -Mark Schecter
>
>