Sam, I have used fabric softener, too. Leaves the hammers with that nice, lemony fresh, spring in the air scent. However, I don't use fabric softener anymore. Pure alcohol and water is the most I'll use to soften hammers, and that's only on old, hard hammers that don't deserve any needle time. I guess I'm becoming more of a purist when it comes to hammer treatments. Leaving a residue in hammers (which fabric softeners do) doesn't seem to be a good thing. That residue will ultimately be transferred to the strings. Something to think about. Best Regards, John Piesik, RPT a tech here in town showed me a simple, effective tool for voicing hammers. 1 part fabric softener to 7 parts denatured alcohol. And why not? It is, after all wool. Apply it, wait overnight. Worked good for me. Perhaps not for new hammers. Sam G.
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