>>Just for the sake of debate and to stimulate a bit of thought... I would like to question why it is that techs so often seem so ready to reach for the hammer dope bottle. The answer, for me anyway, is that is what I saw the lead voicing tech for Indiana University using. Of course, he is used to working on Steinways. But I saw him lacquer hammers on a new Young Chang. So that is all I ever used, with mixed results. Until Phil Glen, I think it was, told me about buffing the strike surface with fine sandpaper strips for new Young Changs. This gave me another tool for making it a little brighter. I've also used fabric softener in water to voice down, because that is what the techs in the PianoDisc factory used when I took my training back in '93. I've only had one tech, who I respect a great deal, demonstrate a single deep needle to the shoulder to bring out a singing tone. And it appeared to me he was shy of using it. He mainly works on S&S and uses lacquer. It is only the last 3-4 years with joining the guild that I am learning about the two different kinds of hammers. But it is confusing. How do you determine which variety the piano you are working on has? Most of the new hammers I am used to working on are Young Changs (I sold them for 12 years) or Imadagawas, which is the closest to a YC hammer I could find. Those hammers are hard, as are a lot of Asian piano hammers. Do they best respond to the needling techniques demonstrated by the Kawai Master Tech? Or do they best respond to the trash bin with a new set of Wurtzens in their place? ;-) Dean Dean May cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802
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