Renner Lite Hammers (was Let's talk about light.......)

[stanwood]

Hi Ed,

I changed the "Subject" so that someone scanning subjects would catch on to
the subject matter of this conversation.

Regarding the Renner Light hammers... It would be informative if you could
tell us some sample ready-to-hang hammer weights across the scale.  Then we
know what you are talking about.  

Here is a frame of reference:

                      HAMMER WEIGHT ZONE GUIDELINES (in Grams)

              Low              Medium          High  

16      5.8             8.0             9.9             12.2

40      4.9             6.8             8.6             10.6

64      3.5             5.1             6.7              8.3


I would measure ready to hang hammers 15, 16, & 17.  Average their weight
and call it the average weight for hammers around note 16.  Refer to the
table etc.

Let us know what you come up with and then we can have a discussion based on
a frame of reference.

>From my experiance I find that light zone hammers have a beautiful sound
when they are soft.  Probably the best example of this is a cold pressed
light zone hammer
The sound is Small and Beautiful.  The cold pressing maintains maximum
resiliancy in the felt.  

Light zone hammers are more sensitive than medium or full zone hammers, to
beeing overhardened by hot pressing in the manufacturing process or by the
techician over lacquering them.  They need less pressing or hardening than a
heavier hammer or the tone will get tone gets worse the softer you play.  Is
your piano showing this symptom?

For instance: if you use the same technique that you successfully use
hardening up a soft full zone Steinway hammer don't use the same formula on
a light zone hammer or you'll be in for a shock.

David C. Stanwood

>Subject: Let's talk about light.......
>
>Greetings all, 
>
>       Ok,  the strings are  in and chipped up to a nice modified meantone,
>the action is rough regulated enough to at least play and I am beginning to
>wonder where to go. 
>     I used the Renner "light" hammers for the first time on this action, and
>the weight/response feel is great, but I got some questions on the
>voicing...................
>     These hammers don't sound at all like the Renner premium blues that me
>and my customers have been so happy working with for the last several years.
> I have done a preliminary needling, (just enough to begin getting the
>shoulder loose), but even at this stage of the process, I am hearing a sound
>that sounds a lot more like the older hard Imadagawa hammers.  
>     What I want is a lot softer pianissimo tone without killing the full
>brassy voice at full throttle.  I would like to hear from some of you who may
>have used the Renner light hammers.  
>     <somebody speak up here, 'fore I walk over a cliff..........>
>Thanks, 
>Ed Foote
>