[pianotech] Tone building in the modern piano

[Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft]

Paul, I like to steam the hammer with a brass hammer iron. I use a thin piece of cloth that doesn't hold much water and squeeze it out almost dry. Place it on the hammer and run over it with the hammer iron. It's very controllable and doesn't blow up the hammer. You can then follow up with deep needling on the shoulder as per Steve Blasyak's response.

Al - 
High Point, NC


  From: paul bruesch 
  Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 2:50 PM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tone building in the modern piano


  Ron,

  I've tried steaming hammers on a 2003 Malaysian Kohler & Campbell. The guidelines I read a while ago were to just steam them in my Rival hot-pot (doubles as a glue pot) for just a very brief time. I took that to mean about 1-2 seconds. It didn't help. What's your (or anyone else?) sense for timing on this? If 1-2 seconds isn't enough, go for another 1-2 seconds? Or for another 3-5 seconds? Or just replace hammers? (Not kidding on that.)

  Thanks,
  Paul Bruesch
  Stillwater, MN


  On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM, Ron Nossaman <rnossaman at cox.net> wrote:

  <snip> 

    I have steamed new hammers down some, to good effect, so I'd start there. Actually, I'd lift and level strings first, which will often enough clarify tone as to be worth the effort. Verify strike point, then voice.

  </snip> 


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