Horace, Could you generally describe your approach to building tone in S&S USA hammers...beginning w/the un-juiced set. Include when you sand, what you sand,etc.string fitting... the type of hardner and ratios to solvent, and also where you apply it. And how this differs from the current factory practice. Perhaps you could give a class at the next PTG summer institute. Some of us would like to learn the "old way" of doing it. Please include your final finishing/voicing steps. Differences in treating the extreme treble hammers, and hammers in the bass, etc.,etc.... Maybe you could put it in a step order....like Step One = Step 2= etc.,etc.... a lot of the time the order you do things can make a great deal of difference. I'm sure a lot of us could benefit. I have been through the factory class, but still find that some sets are rather difficult to bring up to where I want, without having to put an awful lot of lacquer in them. (esp. the treble) I'm not sure if it is because of the way the hammers are made now, or if it is me. Also...pianists today seem to want _very_ bright pianos, which is NOT the traditional Steinway signature. Thanks, Rich Adkins Coe College Music Dept.
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