Re Hammers won't check...

[Kenneth Sloane]

                      Subject:                              Time:  11:22 AM
  OFFICE MEMO         Re Hammers won't check...             Date:  5/28/96

----------------POST FROM NEWTON----------------
Hammer tails are too short.
Tail shape is improper.
Backchecks at the wrong angle to tail.

It is not easy to lengthen hammer tails, although I am thinking of ways and
means, but have nothing to suggest at this time.

---------------MY REPLY--------------

There is a rather detailed article on checking and lengthening tails on
hammers in a Steinway "D" in the October, '89 Journal (written by yours
truly). It is titled "Drum Repetition", and talks about the effects of poor
checking on repetition. The article prompted interesting replies in the Jan.,
Feb., March, and June '90 Journals (the final reply from Steinway), and the
article and replies probably encouraged Steinway to lengthen the tails of
their hammers a few years ago.

Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory