Hammer Rest Felt and Adjustment Question

[Alan Barnard]

In grands, the hammers should sit uniformly above the felt. Specs generally
don't include this measurement because there is some choice in the amount
of "float." This allows you to change the blow a little in order to
optimize aftertouch. But a general rule for grands is a float about equal
to the thickness of the shank. Touching is definitely too close. 

Think of it like the "headrests" in your car. You definitely don't want to
be driving down the road with your head resting on the thing, but when some
bozo rear-ends you, you'll be mighty glad it's there.

Interesting that it's just the opposite in uprights, where the hammers must
NOT float--but neither should they be deeply nestled in groovy old felt. 

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


> [Original Message]
> From: Ben Henny <benhenny@hotmail.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 10/11/2005 11:28:29 AM
> Subject: Hammer Rest Felt and Adjustment Question
>
> I'm going to replace the hammer rest cushion on an old Howard grand, and
I 
> can't find the definitive answer regarding how much the hammer shanks
should 
> be touching the felt. Currently, the felt on the rest looks like 5mm felt 
> that has been fluffed up - for a softer landing, I guess - and there are 
> grooves where the shanks fall and rest. The shanks actually land on the 
> rest.
>
> >From what I've read, the shanks shouldn't actually "rest" on the hammer
rest 
> but should hover above it by a few millimeters. Can anyone confirm that
this 
> is correct? Is the felt there just to catch any flex that would cause a 
> shank to touch the hammer rest?
>
>
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