S&S Hammers

[Ron Nossaman]

At 07:33 PM 3/17/99 -0500, you wrote:
>List, 
>   I'm trying to do justice to a 1901 'B', and am wondering about the
>measurement from the hammer flange center pin to the center of the hammer
>molding. I've heard that the length, in the best of all possible worlds,
>should be 5-1/8 inches. The actual measurement on this one is 5 to 5-1/16
>inches. How sacrosanct is the theoretical? I can move the keyframe forward,
>even if I have to plane down the keyslip a little to make more room so I
>can hang hammers at 5-1/8. Does anyone do this as a matter of course to
>'correct' this situation? I'm having a new keyboard made, and this would
>allow for longer sharps to be fitted, an added benefit.
>     Ken Jankura, RPT
>     Newburg, PA
> 


Hi Ken,
The strike point on the string is going to be more important than the shank
length. I'd establish the best sounding hammer position at #88, with the
cheek blocks in and the action where it was (unless it looks like it has
been repositioned to where the dags or the keyslip have had to be modified
to accommodate the old shank length/strike point, then I'd reposition it in
a more central fore/aft position first), do the same at the low end of the
treble section, the high end of the next section down, etc. Then use the end
guide hammers to hang the rest. There isn't anything inherently sacred about
the shank length measurement. You do what it takes to make it all work together.


  
 Ron