Walter 175 hammers

[David Love]

The lacquer I have is closer to the 25% solids and so I'm diluting it quite
a bit.  If you are inclined to use hardeners on the crown only you might
consider the keytop/acetone since it needles out easily.  Also check to be
sure that it is Wurzen felt.  There may have been one or two pianos that got
Bacon felt.  If that's the case you can feel more comfortable using lacquer
but still don't go too strong.  I must warn you to be careful in hardening
the bass end of that piano too much.  What you get if you go overboard may
be worse than what you have now.  Keeping things balanced has to trump any
preconceived notion of what any one section should sound like.  At least in
my opinion.    

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mark Dierauf
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:47 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: RE: Walter 175 hammers

Thanks, David. I will definitely try filing/polishing and perhaps ironing
before adding anything to the hammer. 
I rather like the sound of this piano (I hear waay too many loud pianos!),
but I think that the 
bass really is deficient on this one. The dealer is complaining and the 
piano isn't exciting any potential customers, so a subtle change 
probably won't satisfy here. Are you talking 8:1 using 25% solids or the 
Steinway 12% stuff? And if a drop (or several drops) on the crown will 
suffice should I perhaps be looking at keytop/acetone?

- Mark

David Love wrote:
> Last I knew they were Ronsen Wurzens.  You can tell by looking at the low
> bass hammers and you should see some yellowish concentric circles moving
in
> toward the core.  I wouldn't use lacquer on these hammers if it can be
> avoided.  I would start by filing the bass hammers (or the others for that
> matter) lightly and then polishing them with up to 1000 grit backed paper.
> That should be enough on that piano to bring out some shine.  If you feel
> compelled to use lacquer don't use anything stronger than an 8:1 solution
> and preferably only at the extremes (high treble, lowest bass).  Overall
in
> the bass I would really try and avoid saturating the hammer.  Maybe test
by
> putting a drop on the crown first.  
>
> That piano is designed to be a bit warm sounding and will not do well if
you
> try and turn it into something bright and loud.  
>
> David Love
> davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
> www.davidlovepianos.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
Behalf
> Of Mark Dierauf
> Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 5:13 AM
> To: Pianotech
> Subject: Walter 175 hammers
>
> I have been asked to voice up a set of hammers on a new Charles Walter 
> 175 grand. They look like Renner hammers, but are quite mellow sounding. 
> Does anybody know if these are Wurzen felt? If I lacquer, should I use 
> the same techniques as on Steinway hammers, or is there a better 
> procedure for this type of hammer? The bass in particular needs a lot 
> more oompf.
>
> - Mark Dierauf
>
>
>
>
>