David Love/Voicing tool Recommendation

[David Love]

Del:

By tensioned I mean that energy is stored in the felt which can be released
by needling.  The Steinway hammer doesn't respond that way at all.  Needling
the shoulders produces little effect if any.  On the contrary, needling the
shoulders of a Renner or Abel hammer has a profound effect releasing tension
toward the crown that can result in a brighter attack (as if they needed
it).  It also, though, results in a more cushioned blow by virtue of the
shoulders gaining more resilience.  The end result is more power and
sustain.   I have less experience with the Isaac or Ronsen hammer, but I do
find that the approach to voicing them is more akin to the Steinway hammer
with the use of hardeners when additional power is needed and the general
requirement that they need to be hardened underneath the crown in the upper
sections.

David Love


----- Original Message -----
From: "Delwin D Fandrich" <pianobuilders@olynet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: February 16, 2002 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: David Love/Voicing tool Recommendation


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: February 16, 2002 7:28 AM
> Subject: Re: David Love/Voicing tool Recommendation
>
>
> > .... There are times, however, when a tensioned hammer is appropriate
and
> > I have used the Renner Blue on many occasions.
>
>
> David,
>
> What do you mean when you say 'a tensioned hammer?' If you're referring to
> the relative hardness and density of the Renner Blue hammer, this does not
> really come from having the felt under 'tension.' These characteristics
are
> more a function of the moisture content of the felt, the amount of
pressure
> on the press and the heat of the side cauls. All of which tend to reduce
the
> tension in the finished hammer in much the same way that ironing a wool
suit
> with steam, pressure and heat take out the wrinkles and set the fabric
flat
> and wrinkle free.
>
> I would be more inclined to call the Steinway hammer (before all of the
> sanding and lacquering), the Ronsen hammer and the Isaacs hammer tensioned
> in that there is still some amount of tension in the wool fiber after
> pressing.
>
> Del
>
>