<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=blue> <div class=Section1> Be sure you try those 17 mm knuckles on your original wippens to make sure there isn’t an alignment problem.  Also, be careful going to a new “heavier” hammer on an old wippen as the old repetition springs can sometimes have a difficult time of it.  Also, inspect the wippens carefully to be sure they don’t have verdigris.  If you are keeping the original wippens (which I would prefer you talk them into changing out all the parts) I would talk to Ray at Ronsen about producing a Bacon felt set that is similar in weight to the original set or very close to it.  That probably means getting a set where hammer #40 can be reduced to something around 6.5 grams.  You might then be able to copy the original dimensioned parts or change the knuckle placement minimally and things might work a bit better.    Best solution is to discuss the benefits of rebuilding the entire action and all the accompanying parts: bushings, punchings, let-off buttons, backchecks, frame felt, key end felt, etc, and at least give them the option to say no.  You might be surprised.    There is sometimes a tendency to approach these situations with how can we get the job done for the least cost to the customer rather than how can we do the job to give the best outcome.  Always start with the best outcome and if necessary work backwards to the least cost.    <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com </div> -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of piannaman@aol.com Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 7:23 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L   <div> The general consensus has been to go with the more Steinway-like hammers, like Steinway or Ronsen (likely be my choice, as the owner expressed that he isn't necessarily sold on the idea of Steinway parts) and increase knuckles to 17 mm to compensate for the heavier modern hammers.  Next step is to get samples to try out.  I'll to to Mr. Negron at Ronsen and see what he needs in terms of measurement and go from there. Thanks again to everyone for their input. </div> <div>   </div> <div id=sig1839> Dave Stahl, RPT dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net dstahlpiano.net </div> <div>   </div> <div>   </div> -----Original Message----- From: reggaepass@aol.com To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:05 am Subject: Re: (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L <div id="AOLMsgPart_2_938cd36a-08ec-4c20-b5b2-43d1d01ea612"> Yes, because if the hammers are shot, then there is certainly going to be "room for improvement" (to say the least) where the knuckles are concerned.  And it will make a substantial difference in how the action performs. <div> Alan Eder -----Original Message----- From: Paul T Williams <<a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu">pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu</a>> To: Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> Sent: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 9:14 am Subject: Re: (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L <div id="AOLMsgPart_2_f1e52084-d857-47a9-add0-85d0fdfd18f0"> Good man! Paul <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;margin-left:.5in'> <tr> <td width="39%" valign=top style='width:39.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <a href="mailto:piannaman@aol.com">piannaman@aol.com</a> Sent by: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> <div> 10/02/2008 10:51 AM </div> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top bgcolor=white style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Please respond to Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td width="58%" valign=top style='width:58.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> To </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> cc </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Subject </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Re: (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L </td> </tr> </table>   <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> Hi Paul, Thanks for the input.  The shanks and flanges will also be replaced. Dave Stahl, RPT Dave Stahl Piano Service <a href="mailto:dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net">dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net</a> dstahlpiano.net -----Original Message----- From: Paul T Williams <<a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu">pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu</a>> To: Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> Sent: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 8:28 am Subject: Re: (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L Dave, I rebuilt a '32 Steinway L two years ago and used Wally Brook's (Abel) Natural Felt hammers and everyone (piano faculty) loves it!  His prices for boring and tapering, etc., are also very reasonable.  Otherwise, I'd go with Steinway hammers.  Are the shanks/flanges and knuckles good enough to keep for the whole new life of the hammers? Always think ahead....(why do I know=2 0this??? ;>)  ) Paul T. Williams RPT Piano Technician University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE <a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unl.edu">pwilliams4@unl.edu</a> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;margin-left:.5in'> <tr> <td width="39%" valign=top style='width:39.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <a href="mailto:piannaman@aol.com">piannaman@aol.com</a> Sent by: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> 10/02/2008 10:10 AM <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top bgcolor=white style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Please respond to Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td width="58%" valign=top style='width:58.98%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'> <tr> <td width="14%" valign=top style='width:14.0%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> To </td> <td width="85%" valign=top style='width:85.0%;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> cc </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> Subject </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> (a first for me...) new hammers for 1927 s and s L </td> </tr> </table>   <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> <td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>   </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> Liszters, I have a customer, who also happens to have a son who's a classmate of my son, who has an old L that's in pretty good shape, except the hammers are shot.  No room for shaping left on them.  But the strings are good, board is good, block is good . It's pretty solid all-round.  So after years of being pretty much strictly a home-service guy, I'm going to jump in and put a new set of hammers on this piano.  It will be the first complete set I've ever replaced.   I have had a few suggestions from folks on type of hammer, notably Steinway(sticking with the original, expensive) and Abel (more ready out-of-the-box, cheaper). I like the Ronsen VFGs that are on my Mason, too, but am not sure they'd match up well with the Steinway.   I was assuming that I'd go with Steinway, but I need to ask the customer if authentic Steinway parts are necessary.  Since I'm not tooled up to bore my ow n hammers, I'll probably get them pre-bored/pre-hung.   Any suggestions or input would be welcomed.   Dave Stahl, RPT Dave Stahl Piano Service <a href="mailto:dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net">dstahlpiano@sbcglobal.net</a> dstahlpiano.net <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Find phone numbers fast with the <a href="http://yellowpages.aol.com/?NCID=emlweusyelp00000001" target="_blank">New AOL Yellow Pages</a>! <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Find phone numbers fast with the <a href="http://yellowpages.aol.com/?NCID=emlweusyelp00000001" target="_blank">New AOL Yellow Pages</a>! </div> </div> <div id=u8CAF2C83923E5BA-1A88-1076> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Find phone numbers fast with the <a href="http://yellowpages.aol.com/?NCID=emlweusyelp00000001" target="_blank" title="http://yellowpages.aol.com/?NCID=emlweusyelp00000001">New AOL Yellow Pages</a>! </div> </div>  <div id=MAILCIADB018-88b348e77c2bb8> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> McCain or Obama? 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