<HTML>In a message dated 7/1/2002 10:02:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time, nhunt@optonline.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: Night And Day Date:7/1/2002 10:02:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time From:<A HREF="mailto:nhunt@optonline.net">nhunt@optonline.net</A> Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To:<A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet      Hi Newton      I think if your looking for something in the softer ( than abel/renner) and lighter hammer for the Mason the Ronsen 14 lb. with light maple moldings will be the ticket. I would suggest the German felted as the Masons soundboard system seems to need a bit more stiffness in the felt. Light solutions of juice will get these hammers sounding great in this application. Most of the solution will be applied in the bottom  half of the piano.   I'd use Ronsens  in the Hamburg o as well .</BLOCKQUOTE>       I used to sell the Isaac product and am intimately acquainted with its <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">charachteristics.</BLOCKQUOTE>        I've used countless sets ( at least 50) of Isaacs hammers in all varietys of pianos  <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">in years past but my main objection was weight. It was hard to get the weight down. The sound was usually great. Especially for Yamahas and Kawai and so many others.   The best hammer Ari ever made was the sets with the america felt co. felt. These by far are the most voicing responsive and voicing stable hammers I have ever used. But I find the Isaac hammer with 18 lb. bacon felt to heavy for many applications.</BLOCKQUOTE>   For my money the Ronsen is the more consistent and versatile hammer for most our shop and field applications <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">   Best>>>>Dale Erwin>>>></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> I have used Isaac's on Steinways.  One set on a B were outstanding.  I am faced with a decision regarding a Mason and a Hamburg O.  I do NOT want hard hammers for either of these pianos.  I have a set of Isaac's on the shelf but I want a light set for the Mason. Are all Abel's hard now?  I liked them a few years ago, not hard, not soft, but very nice tone generators.         Newton </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>