[pianotech] Follow up report on BB Mason and Weickert felt

[David Ilvedson]

Hi David,

I'm seeing a lot of Ronsen hammers these days and I'm not sure I'm that impressed...I am impressed with some Renner hammers and others and have to wonder if something is missing when you don't build that tension into the hammer.   The necessity of opening the shoulders to make a cushion and the solidity of the low shoulders...I'm just posing some questions for discussion since the Ronsen seems to get so much press from those who use it...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 12/15/2009 9:00:16 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Follow up report on BB Mason and Weickert felt


>In know you're not asking me but my experience has been that, no they don't
>need any more cushion.  The shoulders already have enough give--sometimes
>too much.  If anything they need a more solid footing below the shoulder so
>that the flexible shoulder has something to spring against.  Thus the
>periodic need to strengthen the lower part of the hammer on some sets.  

>David Love
>www.davidlovepianos.com

>-----Original Message-----
>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
>Of David Ilvedson
>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 8:40 PM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] Follow up report on BB Mason and Weickert felt

>I find it interesting that you didn't need to do any shoulder needling.
>The "cushion" is there already?   You immediately had projection...tone
>above the strings?   

>David Ilvedson, RPT
>Pacifica, CA  94044

>----- Original message ----------------------------------------
>From: erwinspiano at aol.com
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Received: 12/15/2009 8:31:08 PM
>Subject: [pianotech] Follow up report on BB Mason and Weickert felt



>> As some may recall I reporting that we were doing a modest face lift to a
>1976 
>>Mason Hamlin BB. The dreaded Aeolian years.
>> We applied two new top sections of bridge cap and rehabbed the pins in the
>rest of 
>>the bridge. We replaced Shanks and installed the New Ronsen Weicker felted 
>>hammers. The piano is done and the tonal results are very pleasing. The
>teacher in 
>>charge of getting it done is very talented young man with good repertoire
>and he 
>>was greatly impressed with the dynamics power and clarity.
>> The final voicing protocol other than careful strike weight prep and
>filing was 
>>embarrassingly easy for the result. In the bass I added some 12 to 1 lac
>acetone to 
>>the mono-chords only for a bit more initial boost and four drops on the
>strike point 
>>from note 9 thru 21. The tenor was three drops on the top of each  up to
>f-3 and 
>>nada, zip, nothing from there to the top. Not exazctly filling the hammer
>with lacquer 
>>eh? No needling at all. Impossible?
>>   I could not ask for better result and with minimul efforts. I've always
>considered 
>>that the Mason Piano needed a fairly stiff hammer and these were dense for
>sure 
>>but needles are no problem but presently it needs nothing. After some play
>in time 
>>I'll post back with a further review. I've just recieved another identical
>set & they 
>>have the same density, shape and weight as the first set. 
>>  Kudos to our hammer head ally...Ray.
>>  It occurs to me that some may weary of the hammer felt news, but then
>that's 
>>what the list is for and also what the delete button is for. 
>>   I hope no one is snoring
>>   You have my open invitation If you are in the area to stop by and enjoy
>the sound 
>>for your self!
>>  Kindest regards
>>  Dale Erwin

>>WWW.Erwinspiano.com