Evidence of overlacquered hammers

[Richard Brekne]

As I've said before

What <<evidence>> are we talking about here.  Where is the 
experimentation done to support this claim. I rather think this stems 
more from the subjective opinion of technicians pre-disposed for 
whatever reasons to arrive at this conclusion.

In any case find no compelling evidence that supports a claim that there 
is some connection between a reasonably healthy soundboard and types of 
hammers used. And I find this claim incompatable with previous claims 
I've heard in other contexts that hammers of both sorts can be made to 
achieve identical results. If that later was true in any sense of the 
word then the former simply is not.

I wouldnt put a very hard Renner (or any other make) hammer on any 
piano. High quality Wurzens of the sort today availble do not qualify as 
hammers that are at all inappropriate or difficult to voice on any piano 
at all. Period. Its absurd to try and argue otherwise as clearly these 
are creating beautiful sounds.

I have an A from 1890 roughly.. The old hammers roughly follow a number 
5 SW curve, and they were of the soft type that clearly had been 
laquered. Ok... they were old and dead and not fair to compare... but 
the new Renner Wurzen set I just installed and finished voicing brought 
this piano so to thee degree to life. Amazed even me.  Now this is a 
very old soundboard... and quite a weak one at that. Not much crown 
left, a few cracks, and other to be expected weaknesses.  But the puppy 
sounds amazingly good. SW 's are between a 7 and 8 curve.

What can I say... I offer only a contrasting experience and point of 
iew, and an observation about an apparent self contradiction.  Not meant 
to tick anyone off... just another bob in the pool for the greater 
edification of the group. Of course each must find their own way. Goes 
with out saying.

Cheers
RicB



David Love wrote:

> The evidence of different soundboards (and soundboards in various
> conditions) needing hammers of varying densities is so abundant in the
> piano circles that I run in that I don't even know what to say to those
> who are interested in this possibility except try it for yourself and
> see.  You wouldn't put a very hard Renner hammer designed for a
> Boesendorfer on a piano that would sound best with a Ronsen soft Bacon
> felt hammer--and there are many such examples out there.  ........


snip.