hammer tone mechanics.

[Susan Kline]

Dear Ari,

I'm glad to see you contributing to the list.

I had the pleasure of visiting your shop back in 1980, while I 
was a pianotech student at George Brown College.

>have concerning hammers, I'll be happy to answer.   Ari Isaac.   
>anything to do with hammers,     hammers, piano hammers I mean.

Yes, not tuning hammers, dead blow hammers, rubber mallets, etc.

I was wondering what woods you use for moldings, and how you 
determine what size the moldings should be. It seems that weight
is a big problem these days.

Regards,

Susan Kline


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At 08:48 AM 6/25/98 -0400, Ari Isaac wrote:
>     How does a hammer produce tone? I keep pondering this question since
>the answer, or my perception of it determines the specifications for the
>felt I will order for the Isaac hammers.
>    I think piano tone is produced by the hammer in two stages. The impact
>- the hammer striking the strings - and the push off - the hammer lifting
>the string when the felt spring reforms the hammer which has been deformed
>by the impact.  It goes without saying that the felt spring or, how springy
>the felt really is depends on how the hammer is made and how the felt is
>put together. 
>   I think the functioning of hammers like felt compression springs is
>essential for two reasons:  first, musicians and composers want as much
>musical color in the tone of instruments as they can get.  Second, a spring
>is the only device that will push against the force applied with an equal
>force.  The harder the impact - the more the hammer is deformed and the
>greater the push off energy.  Also the opposite; the lower the impact - the
>less the hammer deformation and the weaker the push off.   
>  The third and very practical reason for makeing the hammers to function
>like felt compression springs is their much lower dependence on voicing, 
>both at installation and during the hammer's lifespan.  A hammer will tend
>to revert to function in the way it was first made, regardless on how much
>it is voiced.  
>To repeat: please get in touch with me with any questions or ideas you may
>have concerning hammers, I'll be happy to answer.   Ari Isaac.   
>anything to do with hammers,     hammers, piano hammers I mean.
>
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Susan Kline, RPT
P.O. Box 1651,
Philomath, OR 97370
skline@proaxis.com