Tom, My advice in this situation is this: Go straight down into the crown, and I mean deep. Take the needle all the way in until it is about an 1/8 inch from the molding. Do this once in each string groove. I know, I know - this is hardly traditional technique, but I find it can really make the sound bloom on hard Yamaha hammers. Try it, you may like it >Dear colleagues - > >I'm finishing up a hammer replacement on a Yamaha DC7 Disklavier in a >recording studio. They're going to start using it on Monday. I replaced >the original hammers with a set of pre-hung Yamaha hammers, with shanks >and flanges attached. They are Yamaha DC7 hammers, but were made prior >to the newer Yamaha sound (kinder, gentler, _softer_ hammer). > >These things are absolute bricks! I'm wanting to get that rich full >"bloom" in the tone that I've heard in many Yamahas. Unfortunately, >using the techniques that have stood me well on other Yamahas don't seem >to be working here. > >I've done my needling very carefully and precisely, starting low down on >the shoulder just above the reinforcement dye. Then, I worked my way up >past 10 and 2 and then 11 and 1 o'clock positions. The needles were >extended a measured 6 mm. I'm using #7 sharps in the beautiful Renner >voicing tool. I've really mastered the Yamaha technique over the years: >vigorous "punches" with the tool to drive the needles deep into the >hammer. I can maintain accurate placement, sort of like a pianoman's >version of mumblety-peg <g>. But there's still too much high partial >content. > >I'm a great beliver in the traditional ways of voicing (although I do >use Supertone instead of lacquer on Steinway hammers). > >I'm hesitant to needle the crown. However, would it be appropriate in >this case, say with needles extended about 1 mm? > >Any comments or advice from others who have been on this particular path >with Yamaha hammers would be most appreciated! > >Thank you very much! > >Sincerely, > > >Tom Sheehan, RPT >NYC Chapter >aquinas@nyct.net John McKone, RPT St. louis Park, Minnesota (612) 280-8375 mckonejw@skypoint.com
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