[CAUT] S&S Hammers and lacquer

[Fred Sturm]

On Sep 21, 2007, at 12:30 PM, Jeff Tanner wrote:

> And so, if hammers were replaced by technicians in the field who  
> didn't know to, didn't know how to, or chose not to use lacquer or  
> shellac, this would explain why someone would find hammers from a  
> NY 1920s D to not contain anything but felt.
>
> My question would have to be that if the ideal hammer was one that  
> did not require lacquer -- if the sound they are looking for really  
> required a hammer that did not require lacquer, then why spend $1  
> million plus <<recently>> on a new hammer press to manufacture  
> hammers that still require lacquer?  How much sense does that make?
>
> Why not just call up Renner and say, hey guys, pick up production  
> -- we're switching to your Wurzen hammers because they produce the  
> sound we've always been searching for?
>
> Jeff

Hi Jeff,
	I don't think you can argue that there was a grand design way back  
when (1920 or before) to create the Steinway sound via felt  
impregnated with hardener. I agree that they have decided today that  
that is the way they want to go, without excuses or regrets, but I  
think they got there slowly. That's what the history I have been able  
to gather tells me, regardless of the "official line" that "they have  
always been that way." That's why I included the anecdote about Franz  
Mohr in my earlier post. Why wouldn't the chief C & A tech be clued  
in if this was really a planned company policy? Franz is one of the  
most true blue Steinway guys around, and will tell you endlessly what  
a perfect instrument it is. So why would he, just a year ago or so,  
tell me that the reason they used lacquer in the 60s and 70s was  
because the hammers they had those days weren't good enough? It just  
doesn't add up.
	I'm happy with current policy and production. I can work with it,  
and lots of pianists and techs are satisfied, regardless of other  
arguments. But let's not try to re-write history.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu



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