<html> <body> Hi all, Rock maple is not often used for hammer moldings.  If they are maple, it is usually a softer and less dense variety.  Low density maple can be lower in mass than some of the  mahogany woods which are used. The molding material does affect the tone, primarily through the amount of mass affecting the contact time. Don Mannino RPT At 12:46 PM 2/10/2004, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>   Grand Piano Manufacturers></blockquote> I was not aware that either Hornbeam, mahogany or other wood moulding would have any significant or appreciable effect on tone; conversely, the quality, density and shape of the hammer FELT is the main determiner of tone quality, as far as hammers are concerned.  Of course, I may be totally wrong on this point, and if so I'm ready and wearing ye-old flame suit! PS: If the Imadegawa type E hammers, with MAHOGANY cores are indeed preferred (by some, namely Ron O.) over the hornbeam ABEL, then I might as well get the former, and save money, right? But I suspect even the Hornbeam Abel hammer will have a tone much more suited to this old American Upright. Terry Peterson ----Original Message Follows---- From: Overs Pianos <sec@overspianos.com.au> Reply-To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Imadegawa hammers Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 07:26:12 +1100 <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><.....before changing over to Abel in 1996. But I never used the hornbeam stuff. OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY    Grand Piano Manufacturers> So if it's a choice between Abel HORNBEAM or Imadegawa MAHOGANY core, you'd prefer the latter? Terry Peterson</blockquote> Terry, From the results we were having with Imadagawas (which were special orders with tail length, width and hammer felt all specified) I'd probably go for the Mahogany (or Walnut) core Imadagawas if the only Abel option was Hornbeam. Fortunately it isn't a choice I have to make. I haven't held any hammers made with either rock maple or hornbeam cores in high regard. Ron O. -- OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY    Grand Piano Manufacturers _______________________ Web <a href="http://overspianos.com.au/" eudora="autourl">http://overspianos.com.au</a> <a href="mailto:info@overspianos.com.au" eudora="autourl">mailto:info@overspianos.com.au</a> _______________________ _________________________________________________________________ Click here for a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. <a href="http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963" eudora="autourl">http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963</a> _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a></blockquote></body> </html>