<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html>   Bob Hull wrote:    In consideration of when it is time to replace a set of grand hammers, what factors come into play besides <blockquote>1. overcentering due to previous filing down to a smaller size 2. a shape, such as too flat on the face, which too much filing would be required without ruining the shape in order to correct.</blockquote> The basic tonal characteristics.... whether they'be been needled to pieces or not would have to be on the list IMV  If a set of hammers on a 9' Hamburg (about 11 years old) have a shape from previous reshaping jobs that appears quite rounded and with no "sloped shoulders"  would this have a negative effect on tonal production?  In other words how important is the shape?  Steinway manual discusses the need for the sloped or narrowed shoulders doesn't it?  These hammers appear to be small to me without much felt left between wood and crown even in mid range.  The shape of the hammer does indeed have an affect on tone, tho whether that is experienced as a positive or negative is a bit more difficult a subject to deal with. Steinway specifies a more or less "V'd" egg shape.  Just how much felt do you have left ? Less then 2 mm of felt on the tops of the trebles is getting right down there.  I have tried to search archives but haven't found what I was looking for. Any suggestions for evaluation criteria? Bob A Hamburg D is for sure one of the finest instruments in the world. It deserves pretty much the best care possible so a chang of worn and old hammers shouldnt even see any hesitation at all. The best criteria I can think of is the knowledge that that new set (if appropriatly choosen and installled) will impart a huge improvement to the sound of the instrument. I would suggest you contact some of the techs in Europe to see if they might be of help procuring a set of origional Hamburg hammers. Cheers -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. UiB, Bergen, Norway <A HREF="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</A> <A HREF="http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html">http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html</A> <A HREF="http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html">http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/personer/cv_RB.html</A>  </html>