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<DIV><FONT size=4><STRONG> </STRONG></FONT><FONT
size=3><STRONG> </STRONG>My Colleagues</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I recently reported on the hammer changes at Steinway
N. Y.& the unsatisfactory results I was getting . I went looking for a
substitute hammer & found it in the New Bacon Felted Ronsen hammer.
It's been many years since<U><FONT size=4> this<FONT size=3> <STRONG>type of
felt</STRONG></FONT>,</FONT></U> this nice, has been available. It has
great natural resilience & the ability to create all the sustain a
particular soundboard system has to offer from the git go. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Historically, Steinway pianos have
created that sound they are famous for with quite a soft felt. The company
had really good felt on their hammers in the late 60's & 70". Ray Negron
tells me it came from Alhambra Calif., until the plant closed. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> At times we all manage to
hear an original set of 1920/1930's Steinway hammers(or others) that have
survived well, though worn. I find it educational to stick a no. 6
needle into the felt . It's always quite surprising to discover how soft they
are unless it's been treated with too much hardener and yet what's left of the
tone we hear is very attractive.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> <STRONG><EM> I know it seems counter
intuitive to considering our indoctrination over the last several decades has
been telling us that harder is better but I haven't found it to be
so.</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> In bringing the sound up in a S&S
B, the protocol used was, a good shaping that pointed up the hammer into the
more or less "Steinway shape" Which will focus the strike point and removes any
fuzzy exterior. The weight prep was easy to achieve thru standard tapering
& prepping procedures. bringing the tone up is fun & accomplished by
using very fine sandpaper to clean up the exterior of the hammer & produce a
very clean strike point. WHen the felt begins to squeak the job is
done. The tone will be quite dark& rich. Pounding the key a dozen
times will begin to pack in the top & more high partials content begin
to emerge to balance the tone. " Voicing without needles" is my preferred
concept of tone shaping.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> The Mono chords will require some
very dilute lacquer/plastic but not much to bring up the growl & bite
Steinways are famous for. The staple area up to 9 am on the hammer (which
is soft in many types of hammers) was initially beefed up with heavy
plastic to create the base or foundation for the top felt to push down against
,preventing energy loss.........if that makes sense. Pretty easy stuff. No
Tennis elbow or blood on the hammers. The tone will bloom quickly with
some play in time & voicing stability is............well...A lock.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3><U>BTW ...Ronsen hammer will be giving classes at the Calif.
State Conference Feb 8 th. I'll be demonstrating this hammer & other
in </U></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT
size=3>
<U>My Class " Finding the magic strike line/Working with
hammers</U></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> regards</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=3> Dale Erwin</FONT>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face="Book Antiqua" size=2 FAMILY="SERIF"
PTSIZE="10"><B><I></I>Dale Erwin--Piano Restorations<BR>4721 Parker
rd<BR>Modesto, Ca. 95357<BR>Shop 209-577-8397<BR>cell
209-985-0990<BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 face="Abadi MT Condensed" color=#000000
size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Web site <A
href="http://www.erwinspiano.com/">http://www.Erwinspiano.com</A> </FONT><FONT
lang=0 face="Book Antiqua" color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF"
PTSIZE="10"><I><BR>Restoration & Sales of<BR>Steinway & Sons & other
fine pianos.<BR>" Soundboards by
Design"</I><BR></B></FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>