On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, John Delacour wrote: >> I can assure you now, as I already informed you off-list before you >> wrote this, that Abel make hammers using the Wurzen felt and I have >> had from them several sets, including re-covered sets, made with >> the AA quality felt. The only felt that Abel do not have at >> present is the experimental 'Weikert' quality, which is still in >> development. No doubt when the experimentation is completed Abel >> will also give this option. Hi John, I have nothing against Abel. I am only against VFG felt. I was going to write you privately but I did not have the time to do so. >> There have been automated presses since Dolge's day at the >> beginning of 20th century. How does Renner's press differ >> significantly from others? What makes you think that Abel does not >> have automated presses for production work? It would seem very >> strange to me if they did not, since the level of automation I saw >> at their factory over 20 years ago was quite high and they have not >> exactly moved backwards since then. I know that Renner has a fully automated press with which every section of the hammer can be pressed separately. I have been to Abel some years ago and they did not have that kind of press. >> On the other hand, it would be very healthy for the market if there >> are other hammer makers who also make very good hammers. >> I live in Europe, and because of the VFG felt, I chose for Renner. > > I repeat that Abel make hammers using a variety of felts and are > constantly testing felt from various makers. In my time I know for > certain that they have used Whitehead's 'Royal George' felt (now no > longer inexistence but once the world leader), felt from Naish, felt > from Laoureux, VFG and Wurzen and probably many more. I have > recently ordered more sets of Wurzen than of VFG, but that is > because I have been restoring certain pianos. For many pianos I ask > for the VFG felt. Are you saying that VFG make only one quality of > felt and that it is no good? If so then you will find most of > Abel's vast customer base disagree with you. For a very long time Mr Abel and his son have used VFG felt. I think only recently (maybe since two years?) do they make use of Wurzen felt as well. VFG definitely does not have the same high quality level as Wurzen felt... this is my personal opinion. There is a difference in making these felts and the difference is more than clear, especially after one year of use. Hey John... I have been raised with VFG. I made the transition to Wurzen after many years. It is a free world. If you like VFG I will certainly respect your choice. It is not a personal thing. We are past that station. This discussion indeed has already taken place many years ago. We are now a huge step further. Renner makes beautiful hammers, Abel makes beautiful hammers, Ronson makes beautiful hammers etc. An evolution has taken place. The next step has already been taken. First we had Weickert, a hundred years ago, then we had VFG for another 50 years or so, then, because of Jack Brand, we got back the first Wurzen's, and the development went on, resulting in Wurzen special Weickert. This is superior stuff and it is has already become clear that the most experienced techs on this list are in favor of this latest development. I am sure you are among them. > > > >> If I would live in the USA, I would probably do business with >> Renner and certainly Ray Negron. I know Ray makes very good hammers. > > Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I am pretty sure I've read on > this list that Ray uses primitive screw presses. So you are saying > that at least one hammer maker makes good hammers without any > automation at all. Never having seen his hammers I can't judge. I have had contact with Ray Negron a long time ago. He indeed has the old time presses but he is very much dedicated and makes use of the very finest felt available. Someone like him can afford to cold press his hammers. Renner is another cup of tea. They are much bigger but have a much harder time to survive. A fully automated hammer press is the result, and they make damn good hammers. just like Ray Negron... friendly greetings from André Oorebeek Antoni van Leeuwenhoekweg 15 1401 VW, Bussum the Netherlands tel : +31 35 6975840 gsm : +31 652 388008 www.concertpianoservice.nl "where Music is, no harm can be" -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090215/cfdab25d/attachment.html>
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