Hi, Brent, While absolutely agreeing with your other points, I think the most important note here is the last sentence, which bears repeating: "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." ...to which I would add: "...Steinway processed technician...". There's been plenty of sound advice on this thread. What remains to be seen is how it is interpreted and implemented. Best. Horace At 12:50 PM 2/11/2011, you wrote: >Hi Kevin, > > It's impossible to extrapolate the root cause of Mr. William's hammer >problem without a structural analysis. Must remember that these >forced-crowned boards don't last more than fifteen years for C at A >applications. Ten millimeters of crown out of the piano, five at clamping >pressure, 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 what >Overs 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 hammers >have 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 > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf >Of caut-request at ptg.org >Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 9:51 AM >To: caut at ptg.org >Subject: CAUT Digest, Vol 28, Issue 30 > >Send CAUT mailing list submissions to > caut at ptg.org > >To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > ><http://ptg.org/mailman/listinfo/caut>http://ptg.org/mailman/listinfo/caut >or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > caut-request at ptg.org > >You can reach the person managing the list at > caut-owner at ptg.org > >When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >than "Re: Contents of CAUT digest..." > > >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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