<HTML>In a message dated 10/25/01 5:13:54 AM !!!First Boot!!!, sckline@home.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">So, what process do you use for voicing with needles? Susan </BLOCKQUOTE> Susan Your method of using of alcohol and vice grips is not like I've heard before. Interesting. I work primarily on used hammers too, but then, when do new hammers become used?  Some of the pianos I am working on had new hammers a year or two ago, but some are ready to be replaced. When I find a hammer that sticks out, (too bright), I needle on the shoulders, and some on the crown. If it still sticks out, I repeat the process. More needling does result in a change. After I get the sound I want, I listing to sustain. I get more sustain from a hammer by deep needling the low shoulder. Again, if a little didn't do it, I can get the result I want by doing more needling. I have some practice room pianos with very bright hammers, which are all the result of filing them too much. I am going to try the alcohol and vice grips. I'll let you know how it worked. Wim </HTML>