Yamaha voicing...and the famous Newton!

[Avery Todd]

Rich,

    I have to agree with Ed here. Besides, IMHO the "don't steam Yamaha
hammers" thing you mention probably stems from all the hammers
Yamaha has had to replace because of someone not controlling the
method and ruining them, so they HAD to take that position. It's called
"covering your a**". :-) Any other brand of hammer "could" be ruined, too.
    I do some work for a Yamaha/Baldwin dealer and personally, I've had
really good results with steaming on the lower line, small Yamaha's.
Make sure the hammers mate to the strings correctly too, so you don't
have the "twangy" sound that can cause.
    I haven't had to do that on the more expensive ones yet but with care, I
wouldn't hesitate to do so.
    If she's willing to pay for new hammers anyway, what's to lose? Maybe
reread Roger's article about steaming and go for it. Judiciously!
    JMHO.

Avery

At 06:30 PM 10/19/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Greetings,
><<Newton and I voiced it down (needle) a bit when he was here in Central
>  Ill. Aside from installing different hammers to make it not sound like a
>  Yamaha. What do you suggest?
>
>     I would suggest that you keep needling before you replace them.  Soften
>them hammers up, leaving just a little really hard felt down deep under the
>strike point.  The shoulders will feel like marshmallows.  Whats to lose?
>
> >I have experience with steam voicing.
>  Controlled, using a wet cloth and a electric hammer iron. I'm reluctant
>  because of the discussion that went on here a few weeks, months ago
>  about not steaming Yamaha hammers. Teacher is willing to spring for
>  different hammers. >>
>
>    The steam is so cheap and quick, if she is willing to spring for hammers,
>go on and take the existing ones down to their absolute softest and see what
>she says.
>Regards,
>ED Foote RPT.,