With the increased lanolin (meaning not washed out in the bleaching process) in the fibers, I find the tone to be more focused. They need very little work out of the box.  I've only tried them on a few Steinway grands so far, but would like to try them on a couple of Mason and Hamlins we have here at UNL that are in dire need of new hammers.  If you ever get a chance to take Wally's all day class on tone building and Abel hammers, make it a priority to do so. I like these hammers better than Renner blues. Good luck with your project, but by the sound of it, you may be getting all you can get with what you have. Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>A E <eve_ane@hotmail.co.uk> Sent by: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org 05/30/2008 07:52 AM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>RE: Striking point</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> I talking about them indeed! How much of a difference did you notice between regular hamers and the "natural felt" ? <hr>To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: RE: Striking point From: pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 07:41:42 -0500 Hi Alicia, The hammers I think you're talking about are from Wally Brooks.  They're Abel "Natural Felt" hammers and I really enjoy working with them. Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=57%>A E <eve_ane@hotmail.co.uk> Sent by: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org 05/29/2008 10:27 PM <table border=4> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=42%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=17%> <div align=right>To</div> <td width=82%>Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>RE: Striking point</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> On the contraire, the tone from plucking is nice and rich. I've tried all sorts of hammers from grands uprights, etc but none that are to my likeing, I've managed to rake up some experience over  last 3 years or so, and never crossed a piano thats as weird as mine. Speaking of hammers, I read in April addition of PTG journal about new type of hammers, that arent bleeched etc, anyone experienced them yet? Alicia <hr>To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: Striking point Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 22:19:19 -0400 From: pnotnr@aol.com A quick way to determine whether the tone problem is in the hammer or the string/bridge/soundboard would be to simply pluck the string.  If you get dull tone plucking the string, there probably won't be much you can to with the hammer. Gordon Large, RPT Maine On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM, A E <<a href=mailto:eve_ane@hotmail.co.uk>eve_ane@hotmail.co.uk</a>> wrote: William, Upright piano, 43inches tall, made in Ukraine in early 90's, general condition of the piano is ok <hr>Stay informed, get connected and more <a href="http://mobile.aol.com/productOverview.jsp?productOverview=aol-mobile-overview&?&ncid=aolmbd00030000000139" target=_blank>with AOL on your phone</a>. <hr><a href=http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/msnnkmgl0010000010ukm/direct/01/ target=_blank>Get Started! </a> <hr>Messenger's gone Mobile! <a href=http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/msnnkmgl0010000001ukm/direct/01/ target=_new>Get it now!</a>