They've reworked the formula somewhat and they are using a more "natural" felt now (I guess that means less processed). But they still call them Abel Select (I think). A conversation I just had with mark suggests that they are both still available. I just got a set of the new ones in the mail. From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of erwinspiano at aol.com Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 4:58 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Weickert Felt -New Baldwin Hammers Steven Marinelli told me that the Abel Selects from Piano-tek have been discontinued. I bought the last two sets from him. They were a good choice for certain soundboard systems. However one set was incredibly bright & pingy and required much voicing to get them under control and I am concerned about the rebounding effect. From what you say it is MHO this is not what your client needs. I just opened 4 sets of the Ronsen Weickert hammers and subjected them to some initial testing. I use a no. 6 needle inserted in various areas of the hammer to test for density,stiffness & resilience. I also have a device some of you have seen called the Erwin -Davis flex-o-meter. Which is a hand held press which can squeeze/flex the hammer so a visual inspection of hammer squash/felt movement can be observed. These hammers are strong yet flexible. This type of strong flexing movement is responible for the powerful sustain the testers are experiencing. The feel of the needle is firm,But they go all the way in. The trebles are nicely dense for clear and solid tone production & should produce a powerful sound with a minimum of needles if any. Ray,Jack & I have been working to produce the felt/hammers so it require only light to no needling in order to get the desired result. You Know? The perfect hammer. lol Ray just recieved 6 more sheets & we Wurzen/Jack has tweaked the bass to get it where we want it. Dense. The felt smells alive & the feel is like silk. We cut open some hammers & they demonstate a lot of tension. I've been testing every set here & compiling data as each testor weighs in. SO far it's all very enthusiastic. The latest is Star Taylor with C-7. He loved it. I'll ask him to post. Starr? I'll have more soon. I would recommend the 16 lb for the Big Baldwin. Renner Shanks is a great choice...of course Dale Erwin I second the hammer selection and definitely Renner Shanks. Al G From: David <mailto:davidlovepianos at comcast.net> Love Subject: Re: [pianotech] New Baldwin Hammers Depends on the tonal goal. I would opt for either a set of the new Ronsen Weikert felt hammers or a set of Abel Select (new series) that Pianotek is selling. The Abels will be a bit firmer. Renner for shanks. Be prepared to reassess the action leverage. Hello, Does anyone have a suggestion for a full set of hammers, shanks, and knuckles for a Baldwin 7' grand built in 1982. Baldwin/Gibson gave me some information for contacts to answer my question but lets just say no one is calling back. Thanks for the help. Steven Hopp PianoWorks Studio 600 Liddon #64 Midland, TX. 79705 hoppsmusic at hotmail.com _____ Access your email online and on the go with Windows Live Hotmail. Sign up today. <http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_access _112008> _____ Traveling over the river or through the woods this holiday season? Get <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212816426x1200798402/aol?redir=htt p://www.mapquest.com/toolbar?ncid=emlwemqmq00000001> the MapQuest Toolbar. Directions, Traffic, Gas Prices & More! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20081120/4740b309/attachment.html>
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