[pianotech] Ludwig Feigel Piano/Viennese Action InformationRequest

[John Delacour]

At 09:44 -0700 13/03/2011, Patrick C. Poulson wrote:


>John: Thanks for the information. The leather used in covering these 
>hammers is a very soft, fuzzy kind of leather, unlike any leather I 
>have seen used in pianos.The effect on the tone from this kind of 
>leather is definitely not subtle! I will try carefully sanding them 
>to remove the string cuts first before doing any hardening....

If I were you I'd remove the leather and lightly reface/reshape the 
hammers, ironing them into shape also towards the nose.  Then see how 
they sound without the leather.  You can then buy one or two good but 
thin "chamois leathers" that will give you a thickness of 1 -1.5 mm 
and cut strips 1/2" wide.  Paint a thin layer of hot glue on the 
shank side of the hammer-head up to about 2 o'clock (or 10 o'clock, 
glue on the leather and let it set.  Then do the same the other side, 
stretching the leather tightly round the nose and clamping the 
leather with a Pony clamp until the glue holds.  The next day you can 
trim the leather with angle scissors flush with the sides of the 
hammer.

Perhaps what we call a "chamois leather" (shammy) is called a 
wash-leather or something in America.  It's actually sheep or goat, I 
think, but it's important to buy the best quality. I buy mine from a 
motor factor who sell different qualities and sizes.  Buckskin will 
do as well, if you can get it thin enough.

JD