I would like to correct myself here: they are ***made*** of continuous layer of felt that main that the plate of felt is ***NOT*** sand to the right thickness like other do and it is very difficult to do. Serge -----Message d'origine----- De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la part de Serge Harel Envoyé : 15 octobre 2007 20:06 À : 'Pianotech List' Objet : RE: Felt quality The main difference between NY hammer felt and any German felt is the density of the strip they use. For German in the strip of felt you got less density in the bass and much more density in the treble and the NY hammer felt is low density all the way with this type of felt you could not presses a hard hammer head and because the felt price is by pounds It is cheaper. What I can said is the difference between Grade A and AA from Wurzen is the type of felts they use for the AA has finer fiber 19 micro and less in some area and this is more expensive fiber and the felt is more expensive. The felt for hammer head in Germany is a bend of different felts from all around the world each one has different propriety the mix in the bass is not the same that in treble and blend is different between Grade A and AA and they are make of continuous layer of felt that main that the plate of felt is sand to the right thickness like other do and it is very difficult to do. The Grade AA is designs for the high tension hammer if you don't have tension with this particular felt you lose many good thing for the quality of sound. The are other things that I know but it is secret. I do make cold presses hammer head with a special Wurzen AA with a lot of tension they do not need voicing at all but I got a very low capacity of production. I use authentic Alfred Dolge presses renowned for the tension they give to the hammer in the gluing process. I suggest you to invite Jack Brand from Wurzen for a class about felt at yours next National PTG show. Serge Harel -----Message d'origine----- De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la part de David Love Envoyé : 15 octobre 2007 10:22 À : 'Pianotech List' Objet : RE: Felt quality Yes and no. I think it's slightly more complicated. A Steinway hammer which is so soft that it requires a full immersion is different than a slightly soft hammer that may need reinforcement only on the non-string-contact part of the hammer. I'm not sure that it's that easy to tell the difference or that in the later case the sound is qualitatively different from a non-lacquered hammer--at least at the outset. Of course, a hammer which is softer to begin with will have a different sound than one that is harder to begin with (especially between molding and crown) but since the harder hammer is often needled down and the softer hammer requires some playing time to develop properly, the ultimate difference may be negligible and the lacquer, at least when applied to the shoulder area only, may not provide a substantial difference. At least that's my experience. Over time may be another story as the lacquer continues to harden and the shoulders lose some flexibility. That's my main complaint. Of course, when you do need to harden the hammer under or onto the strike point I believe that does change the character and even more so in terms of how the hammer ages. David Love davidlovepianos at comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Richard Brekne Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 12:12 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Felt quality JD / Dale And here you have the real reason for doping hammers. Its a matter of taste... purely subjective in nature and if done well will produce very nice results that are somewhat different in end resulting sound. There used to be a lot of folks trying to justify doping hammers by asserting that you could get the same sound as needled hammers. I am glad I dont hear this kind of thing anymore myself, because it really isnt true to begin with, and secondly... who should need such a justification to begin with ? Steinway NY states outright that they dont get the sound they want without using soft hammers built up with lacquer. Dale and I have had many a talk on this subject and tho we have different preferences... I'm know for a fact he gets a very nice sound out of his approach. In the end... regardless of the strong opinions any of us hold... piano voice and response is a very subjective thing that has nothing at all to do with what the instrument was designed to do... what level of loudness/harshness or softeness/mellowness is achieved. One persons noise is anothers heavenly harp. Cheers RicB
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