Hi Kevin,
It's impossible to extrapolate the root cause of Mr. William's hammerproblem without a structural analysis. Must remember that theseforced-crowned boards don't last more than fifteen years for C at Aapplications. Ten millimeters of crown out of the piano, five at clampingpressure, and 2.5 strung up. I'd wonder if it was crowned in July or December? The factory isn't exactly tight and it matters. What about the plate? Read whatOvers has to say about sand cast specifications. As far as Hamburg hammers, you will fight serious weight issues in the bass, although NY gets it really close now, Hamburg doesn't screw up geometry ever, as far as I know, and they're gonna be heavier. In addition, their bass strings have different specs than NY, the ribs are crowned, and their treble hammershave a serious lack of under-felt but seem to sound pretty good with that board.Solution, if it isn't structural just get another NY set and stay with
NY so your reputation can never be second guessed by a Steinway processed artist.
Brent
--- On Fri, 2/11/11, Fortenberry, Kevin <kevin.fortenberry at ttu.edu> wrote:
From: Fortenberry, Kevin <kevin.fortenberry at ttu.edu>
Subject: Re: [CAUT] NY hammers/ Hamberg hammers
To: "caut at ptg.org" <caut at ptg.org>
Date: Friday, February 11, 2011, 11:04 AM
Paul, not only do I feel your pain, but the timing of this discussion is rather
good. I am faced with this very decision on several pianos. I am, like you, interested in experimenting with the NY hammers, but we are facing budget cuts/time deadlines, etc. I really wish it were possible to just order the Hamburg hammers. I have heard from several sources that they are fabulous! I spoke with another technician friend at a rather large University and he says that it IS possible to order them, but even he admitted it is hard to do. (Anyone have any idea on this? Kent?) He says they are a denser felt than the Renner Blues, but do behave and voice very similarly to the blues. Almost every piano here at Texas Tech (except the few newer pianos we have) has Renner Blues (all 3 of our D-s included) which are great, but of course are fairly high maintenance and just do not seem to last all that long. I love the idea of the Hamburgs since they are "Steinway Hammers" which satisfies those who want to stick with Steinway parts,
and those of us with limited time, and very limited $$$ don't have to experiment endless hours with lacquer/lacquer thinner fumes, paint masks that do not allow lacquer fumes to be breathed right into the lungs, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I love our Steinways! I am gun-ho about Steinways--probably to a fault, but someone please tell why we cannot just pick up the phone and order Hamberg hammers! In the meantime, I will see what you discover with these hammers, try some experimenting (thanks Fred for all the help with this!), and maybe try those Abel Naturals everyone keeps raving when possible. I have also heard the new Steinway shaped hammers from Renner are challenging to voice--but I have only talked to one rebuilder who had to file deeply to get any real tone. This could be wrong--are these anything like the Hamgergs, also made my Renner??
Best to all, Kevin Fortenberry
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Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 9:51 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: CAUT Digest, Vol 28, Issue 30
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Bum set of NY hammers, I'm afraid (Fred Sturm)
2. Re: Bum set of NY hammers, I'm afraid (David Love)
This set is lackluster from the bottom to the top. Perhaps they sent me a
non-prelacquered set. I kept the old hammers and shanks, so I might switch
them out, bring the new set to the shop and soak the crap out them with a
4:1 mix. I guess I have nothing to lose and education to gain from
this.
This is my first set of NY Hammers. I've been using Wallys Naturals for
years. Maybe I shouldn't have messed around in a new world. I would have
put on another set of Abels, but the piano dept head insisted on Steinway
hammers as he's a "Steinway Concert Artist". I perhaps shouldn't have said
anything, eh? and just used what I know how to use.
What's to expect from Hamburg hammers? Never used those either.
Keep em coming. Thanks guys!
Paul
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