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<DIV> <STRONG><EM><U>Richard Adkins writes</U></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue =
2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>Please tell us what your approach was with the=
se hammers...<BR>did you use chemical hardeners...? or just needle in the Ge=
rman<BR>hammer fashion? Combination.<BR><BR>The last Ronsons I tried were "g=
erman felt" they said, but I was not<BR>thrilled, and maybe I didn't prep th=
em properly?...I still have 'em....<BR>Maybe they needed more lacquer than I=
put in 'em...or no lacquer?....<BR>Or different needling technique. Some of=
my colleagues are also<BR>recommending them, but I'm wary. Genuine Steinway=
hammers seemed<BR>to put out more sound, but I know how to work with them. =
For<BR>the price, the Ronsons look so attractive.<BR><BR>thanks in advance.<=
BR>Richard Adkins.<BR>Coe College Music Dept.</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV> <FONT size=3> HI Richard </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Did you hang the <STRONG><U>Ronsens</U></STRONG>&=
nbsp;& if yes, in what? I've installed & voiced many dozen=
s of sets of the <STRONG>German</STRONG> felt with very little effort & =
very little juice or needling. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> The <STRONG>Wurzen</STRONG> is =
a stiffer felt that voices similarly & may require a few judicious =
needle strokes in the higher shoulders & deep in octaves 4 & 5 They =
may also need extremely thin solutions of Lacquer primarily in the bass. I r=
ecommend a thoro medium filing for the bass to get a better initial sha=
pe & light filing in the rest to remove the cup. Start with 80 grit in t=
he bass move to 240 & finish with 400. In the tenor & treble start w=
ith 240 & finish with 400. A nice clean top will give you more instant m=
usic. Do this in a gang clamp before hanging. 15 Minutes max. Also you =
may Iron lightly but it's mostly for cosmetics & a bit more attack =
if you want it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> My Advice is do nothing in the =
way of prevoicing as per Renner/Abel, it is not needed. As Tom Servinsky rep=
orted the sound is warm & clear without the usual ping,ting of other har=
der pressed hammers. I call it power without noise or excessive trash sounds=
. If you're use dot that I say try it you'll probably like it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Dale Erwin</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"=
><FONT size=3>Erwins Pianos Restorations </FONT><BR>4721 Parker Rd.<BR>Mod=
esto, Ca 95357<BR>209-577-8397<BR>Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales=
<BR>www.Erwinspiano.com</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>