What are benefits of new shanks on upright hammer replacement ?

[Don Mannino]

Gordon,

Here are my reasons for always preferring new shanks:

- Shank wood ages and becomes more flexible with time.  New hammers with 
more felt are heavier than the old worn hammers, and will cause the shank to 
flex more in forte playing.  The tone will be weak as a result.
- If hammers are worn, knuckles are worn.  You can replace them separately - 
but then the labor begins to justify new shanks.
- Action centers have often been gummed up at some point in their lives, and 
the bushings may not perform as well as they once did.  New fresh bushings 
with even pinning makes for good tone and even touch.

Don Mannino


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gordon stelter" <lclgcnp at yahoo.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:20 PM
Subject: What are benefits of new shanks on upright hammer replacement ?


> If any.  I'm trying to decide if the added expense and
> trouble is justified, for several of the pianos I'm
> working on.
>     Peace,
>     Thump
>
>
>
>
>
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