<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Having some experience with pianos with Del's designs I would not say that even the softest hammer gave voicing difficulties.  I would say that a softer hammer (Ronsen Bacon or unadulterated Isaac) was the right hammer on some of these designs to produce plenty of power and brightness.  A model O recently completed that I put Ronsen Bacon hammers on received only a thorough and polished filing.  There was plenty of brightness all the way to the top but I wouldn't say there was any difficulty in keeping them under control.  In fact, under normal circumstances I might have sharpened the attack just slightly in the bass and maybe brought the level up just a bit.  At present, however, the piano is just slightly understated and should develop very nicely.  The pianist also wanted something not overly loud or percussive with a natural and effortless pianissimo which also had me leaving things well enough alone.  A slightly heavier rib scale that pushes the hammer requirements up a little bit might well be appropriate for me and others under certain circumstances, but nothing was lost for the softer hammer.    The rather remarkable thing to me is that you can produce a piano that will have adequate power, great sustain and even some brilliance with an unhardened Ronsen Bacon Felt hammer.  Who'd have thought it was possible?     David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net   >Dale wrote: >If so I'm confused.  I remember Del saying this type of >board can't tolerate hard hammers & that he was having troulbe at one >point with even the "softest" of hammers giving voicing difficulties.     </div> </body> </html>