<HTML>In a message dated 9/19/2002 9:31:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time, RNossaman@cox.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: Voicing Date:9/19/2002 9:31:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time From:<A HREF="mailto:RNossaman@cox.net">RNossaman@cox.net</A> Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet        Ron</BLOCKQUOTE>              I understand your premise and agree with it on the face of it,Meaning different board stiffnesses require differenent densities and weights of hammers. But I've found very little use for the Renner or Abel hammers in most applications. Why?  If a soundboard has good sustain characteristics worth a hoot a softer style hammer is all thats generally required to get the tone and power I'm hearing in my head which can  require differing amounts of lacquer to get the felt stiffness for appropriate tone.  Other comments interspersed below. <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> >>Do you find the Isaacs interchangeable with Renners or Abels in pianos with >>your new boards as well as with original boards, or boards built to the >>original design? >> >>Ron N > >          Ron >         No. Renners and Abels are an untenable match in the pianos I put > boards in.  I've had similar results as you in that the  Ronsen and Isaac > hammers are very close to where I want them. (Stwy hammers are another > story but I like them.) I do less to the Ronsen than the Isaacs. A like a > bit of juice in the bass for bite and some of the last octave of treble > hammers. So does this mean you're using a softer hammer in your board replacements than you are with original boards?     </BLOCKQUOTE> >>>>>>>>>Ron     99% of the time I'm using softer hammers on original boards and my new ones. I've used only one set of abels in the last two years in a Mason A which after complete pulverizing with needles everwhere sounded amazingly good. My point, and yours I believe, is Needling hammers this much for a board with obvoiusly excellent tonal capabilities should not be required. But what kind of decent piano /soundboard requires this kind of stiff hammer? Ones I usually don't like the sounds of. This should re-eforce your premise <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> >    As I've said before I used to sell the Issac hammer and have hung and > juiced/voiced dozens of sets. It's a great hammer for > Masons,Kawais,Yamaha. I'm not as crazy about them in stnwys in general > but have several sets that are the best I've ever heard. The wear factors > are amazing. And are these pianos with the original soundboards? </BLOCKQUOTE>     >>>>>>>>>Yes Many of them <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> >     My point was consistency of his product and how there treated during > manufacture. On many occasions I use to pre juice hammers I sold when I > could tell they were to soft. I sent them out and didn't get complaints, > but I knew the product. I'd always get complaints about too soft a set > and I hated it. >      Does that cover it?>>Dale And my point was and is the difference in hammer requirements between a factory original board and a redesigned replacement board that is working in a reasonably efficient manner. I can't tell if that covers it or not. Are you agreeing or disagreeing?</BLOCKQUOTE>       >>>>>>>>Yes I agree. And I believe it's your point that a more elaborately redesigned board vibrates more freely than most requiring a softer hammer. I wasn't trying to rain on your parade by saying that the Isaac hammers you needled down may have been pre-juiced therby negating the board freedom inherent in your design only  that I personally have been decieved by the overly prejuiced hammer myself. >>>>>>>>Dale <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> Ron N </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>