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<DIV><FONT size=3> <STRONG><EM>To all
hammerheads</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> Now that Steinway innovation has once
again screwed up there hammers again, by filling them with some unspecified
solution (I suspect plastic), I can no longer use them to get the tone I
was able to get before. With my favored way of building tone It was
necessary to start with a dark sound & build it with lacquer which I humbly
admit...I was pretty good at.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> The last set of Steinway
hammers I installed required about 100 needle strokes a piece in the
tenor region. This was a 70's German D. </FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> I politely expressed my
objections to Chad in the parts department & returned two other sets. If you
are unhappy with the current Steinway poduct please politely express it to
Chad & ask if the old version can be had as well. David Hughes & I
have done so already & have encouraged others to do the same. As you
all know ,I support anyone doing a good job in our industry who provides us with
the parts that we rely on & feedback in a positive form is the only
viable alternative to initiating manufacturing changes.
imo</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> Long story short, I am just getting the
preliminary results with a set of the Bacon Felt hammers from Ray Negron at
Ronsen. My test case is 1953 Steinway B with a VERY good original
board. My first test hammers revealed a nice dark tone & a huge amount
of the sustain. Bingo...this for me is the best place in the world to
start. I always prefile before installiing but that's all ...no pre
needling or juicing.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> When the internal friction of a given type
of a felt is creating that kind of sustain, for me , I know that I can
develop a really powerful clear tone. I think this is why David Love,Bruce
Stevens & others are loving this hammer. The old (Steinway)
American co. felt when it was pressed right had these same
characteristics.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> Any way I did proceed to use some lacquer
in the bass & lighter solution on my test hammers & the piano just came
alive. Holy Cow!!! SO easy to get the tone I was looking for.
Classic Steinway Sound</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> The Bonus is I don't have to depend on the
Mother ship for supplies of hammers costing twice as
much.</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> This felt isn't as soft as you
may assume from my post & I suspect a bit of filing with fine sandpaper
& perhaps a bit of ironing will suffice to develop tone further in many
pianos & for many of you. </FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> I will report as these
hammers develop & as I use them on the next piano which is a 1922
Steinway D in pristine condition with an amaazzingly well preserved board.
</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> Yes we have some out here in La La
land. Eat your heart out! </FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3> Best to
all</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3>
Dale</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>