Felt quality

[David Love]

I think the question is "compared to what?".  A set of hammers with an ideal
pressing from top to bottom, with good quality resilient felt that doesn't
need 50 stitches in each shoulder just isn't that available.  I don't think
there's any inherent tonal quality in a lacquered hammer that can't be
achieved without lacquer.  The problem is that we are often choosing the
best option available.  A light lacquering of a hammer which is somewhat too
soft often produces a better sound than a hammer that's had the life
squeezed and heated out of it and/or that must be needled until our arms
fall off.  Too often those are the two choices available and when that is
presented I would also choose the light lacquering though my preference is
to achieve proper tone without lacquer or anything else-extremes excepted.
However, I would still like to think that a well made hammer, with good
quality felt, reinforced as needed, with well calculated and precise
pressing, should produce clarity, adequate power and a broad range of
dynamics without excessive needling or the use of chemicals.  In order for
that to happen it seems that the felt maker and hammer maker have to be
working in sync and I agree with JD that the art of that seems to be
somewhat lost at present.  At the moment, Ronsen comes the closest to
achieving what I want to hear in his various iterations.  There are many
other hammers that present very nicely (they look good), but the sound just
isn't there, at least not for me.  All I can say is that for most of the
major manufacturers, something is missing.  I wish I could elaborate on
exactly what that is.  

 

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 Tom Servinsky
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 6:30 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Felt quality

 

Dale,

You aren't alone. I find lightly lacquered hammers to have a clarity and
quality of tone that I find very attractive.  Wurzen hammers especially
respond very well to a 10:1 solution.  A 10:1 solution is what hair spray is
to hair...a slight stiffening agent.

Tom Servinsky

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Erwinspiano at aol.com 

To: pianotech at ptg.org 

Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 7:48 PM

Subject: Re: Felt quality

 

   JD

   Don't shoot me yet or flambeau me.  I may be the only lacquer maverick in
the herd, but all the friendly & accurately assessed cynicism aside, I find
a properly made Softer hammer with quality felt will illicit a tone
character I find very attractive when treated lightly with a low dosage of
lacquer. To my ear, this sound is difficult to replicate with hammers
without it.The lacquer in this specific case doesn't render it
un-needle-eable  un- less over done.

  I admit lacquer- ing hammers is the most abused voicing technique.(Well
maybe not) but it really may not have to do with a hammer that's properly
made.  The hammers themselves are made to be lacquered such as Steinway
hammers used to be.  No there pre-lacquered before shipping & I can't use
these any more.

  A Softer hammer will illicit a very strong & gloriouos fundamental from
the git go,which is the very thing harder hammers fail miserable to produce
& often,even after considerable needling.  And since sustain is so vital to
the musical experience, not noise as Ron points out, its a curious as to how
we've been brainwashed to think hammers made like concrete that need  hours
& hours of needling are the answer either. If a hammer needs to be lacquered
beyond the point where needles are effective then it may be improperly made
or simply the wrong hammer choice for that particular sound board system.
The list is replete with this insightful discussion just this year

  I think you guys that can custom order from Renner in Europe can mostly
avoid this as Andre & Ric have & here we have the beautiful variations of
the Ronsen Product utilizing three or four different felts.

  Just my perspective

  Dale

> I read a lot on this list about doping hammers.  Why should it be 
> necessary to dope any hammer that is properly made from the proper felt 
> in the first place?
> 
> JD

Lots of reasons, mostly having to do with soundboard 
efficiency or lack thereof, followed by hammer quality, and 
generations of consumer training to the effect that any piano 
not producing noise well beyond the ever rising pain threshold 
needs harder hammers.
Ron N

 






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