Steinway hammers

[David ilvedson]

I prefer soft hammers and hardening them as needed...I like 
a cheap lacquer/thinner combination for hardening.

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA

> From:          "Alan W Deverell" <aland@casa.co.nz>
> To:            <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Subject:       RE: Steinway hammers
> Date:          Sat, 6 Jun 1998 13:36:12 +1200
> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org

> One of the significant differences between Steinway NY and Hamburg (as
> with most other European Piano makers) is that NY use Softer Felt for
> their hammers and then harden it up with dope/lacquer etc. In Europe
> the reverse technique is adopted i.e.. Harder Felt voiced BACK to
> soften/even the tone.
> 
> I have discussed the pros. & cons. of this with several very qualified
> Technician/Builders and I shall just say that:
> 
> "While the SAME results can ultimately be achieved by either method -
> the long term results seem to be in favor of beginning with hardened
> Felt"
> 
> Your choice in this MUST be guided by the training and methods with
> which your Technician is most comfortable - tempered by the TONE
> specification which you desire for your piano.
> 
> It is NOT uncommon for the hammers to be re-covered - this is like
> changing the oil of your car - just make sure that you get the correct
> grade to suit your engine (read - tonal colour preference).
> 
> If you are a ENTHEUSIASTIC pianist, try "Piano-L" which is the
> Performers and Teachers forum and just as stimulating as "Piano-Tech"
> but more musical.
> 
> To join post an "e-mail" with "Subject" completely blank and the
> single word "Subscribe" (without the double quotes) in the "message"
> line - nothing else.
> 
> piano-l@uamont.edu
> 
> see you there?
> 
> AlanD (spying on Piano-Tech - just briefly)
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org
> >[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
> >Of Jeuxdeau@aol.com
> >Sent: Saturday, June 06, 1998 10:21 AM
> >To: pianotech@ptg.org
> >Subject: Steinway hammers
> >
> >
> >Hi !
> >
> >I recently signed onto your list and am extremely impressed
> >with some of the
> >technical discussions - I never realized piano technology
> >was such an art!
> >
> >I have one question for which an answer will make me forever
> >indebted to you
> >folks.....
> >
> >I have a new "B".  At this point, I am having this
> >instrument tuned every 2
> >months.  Is it "normal" to also need a full voicing that
> >frequently?  In order
> >to get one "voice", my technician had to extensively voice
> >80 of the 88
> >hammers to match a few odd-balls.  The resulting sound was
> >extremely muffled,
> >but evenly voiced.  He told me that the hardening agent was
> >very unevenly
> >applied to the hammers at the factory.  I am a trained
> >pianist, and I can
> >attest to the fact that he truly did a remarkable job in
> >voicing -- something
> >the dealer tech, even after two attempts, could not do !  (I
> >am hanging on to
> >this new tech!)  I understand the cold-press/hot-press
> >difference and that
> >Steinway hammers are more variable than most, but is the
> >variance I have
> >described excessive/typical/acceptable from a new "B" ?  I
> >am considering
> >having the hammers replaced because since the last voicing,
> >I have driven the
> >piano only about 20 hours (with "elevator music"), and the
> >odd-balls are
> >already prominently sticking out of the aural terrain.
> >
> >Thank you.
> >
> 
> 
>