Alcohol and hard hammers

[Leslie Bartlett]

Wally Brooks and daughter had some pictures of slides of some of these cheap
hammers formed under very high heat where the fibres had actually fused
together.   I've used a Dremmel sparingly, resorting later to "hand
needling".  I am really cautious in using alcohol/water, though have used it
with good success in limited places.   I carry a Vodka bottle. Actually
first time I used the mixture, I used 100 proof Vodka.  Clean, and I have
had fun telling people I use the stuff, and if it doesn't work, I just drink
it till the piano sounds good............  A few laughs occasionally....
les bartlett

   _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Geoff Sykes
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:10 PM
To: Pianotech at Ptg. Org
Subject: Alcohol and hard hammers


Tomorrow I have to go up against a new, out of the box, upright piano with
ROCK hard hammers. I have been asked to voice the hammers down significantly
in order to reduce the unpleasant brittle harsh cold sound. Last time I had
to do this I just aggressively needled away for a long time. Very
aggressively with lots of broken needles. Even after I was "finished" I was
still unable to get a needle in more than about 1mm. 
 
Not too long ago, on the list, I read that treating hard hammers with a
little alcohol would help un-compact the felt. However, these are new
hammers and are probably hard because of a hardening treatment. Today's
question is: Would a small alcohol treatment help? If not, what would you
suggest?
 
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles


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