[pianotech] Petrof grands-Hammer opinions

[Dale Erwin]

Hi Paul
   I like Ronsen hammers but we don't make hammers for every application, but then...nobody does and that's ok with me. We have our definite tonal niche.

  It will come as a surprise to some that In the process of developing the new Weickert felt hammer Ray & I collaborated not only with Jack Brand the felt maker at Wurzen but also with Rick Baldassin and Lloyd Meyer at Renner USA.  But thru our efforts together we  exchanged some development info which was feedback we gave to Jack. We both helped develop a revolutionary product in record time and got a better product in the process. I know..... what a shock 2 competitors helping each other out. aye? I also made a good friend in Rick
 
 In teh end what we agreed on was that the " Renner & Ronsen  have complimentary products".  Ricks words. Felt good to me.
 The Ronsen became more of a hybrid hammer and our respective tonal pendulums swung in each others direction.  The Renner needing less needling than previously and the Ronsen utilizing small amounts of needling to open up. The tone of both is a dark clear sound.
   Occasionally I use the Renner Weickerts/Blue points for specific applications or by request. 

  The tone and feedback on the Ronsen Product is stupendous and I hear that the Renner product has as many fans. Such a great deal for technicians!!
  Therefore I still say, Hammer sampling is a smart maneuver when determining which brand and version of hammer to choose. 

  Rule of thumb ...the stiffer the soundboard the stiffer the hammer required. Or sometimes tonal or voicing preference.

 

 

Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
209-577-8397
209-985-0990
Ronsen hammers/prep
Sitka Sound boards
Belly packages



 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 12:36 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Petrof grands


Thanks, Dale,

Yes, strange design. why add weightand then add weight? There's got to be some sort of law!!  It waspretty tough getting the action out of the piano to the bench!  Ithought I was grabbing an old Mason and Hamlin concert grand action orthe very worst Steinway action from the late 70's. I'll have Arnold bicepsby the time this project is done :>)

My plan is remove as much hammer weightand shank weight (these are baseball bats with a very large hammer attached!)as I can and see where I am there.  These are really monster hammers...lotsof felt I can remove.  Wondering what might happen to the tone, though. Would you suggest the hammers you've been talking about?  OrRenner ultra lights, or something else?  Silly, of course youre goingto suggest yours!  My bad.  

It's all on the Lied's budget, whichof course, is also crushed by our current budget cuts, so I need to tryto save the originals.  I'm now putting the proposal forth to themand will also include the option of new ham-shanks.  I didn't askyou privately before, but could you send me your price list for pre-hungham-shanks to pwilliams4 at unl.edu ? I'll have another piano I really wantto do for my own inventory after this project is finished. (Yamaha C-2)

I need this as soon as you can, so Ihave something to work with.

Thanks!

Paul T. Williams RPT
Piano Technician
School of Music
5 Westbrook Bldg.
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588-0100
pwilliams4 at unl.edu




From:
Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>

To:
pianotech at ptg.org

Date:
06/29/2011 01:28 PM

Subject:
Re: [pianotech] Petrof grands






Hey Paul
  I like these pianos tonally but the action guys ...what were theythinking?  Here is the short version.  
  Nice action ratio. Its 5 or 5.3 to 1. Then they shot themselvesin the foot by installing hammers that weigh over 1o grams in the bassand on into the trebles. SO they over powered the action ratio with hammerweight. Then added lots of lead and maybe a wippen assist spring and viola....an action that's heavy aaaaand there's no up-weight either.
 Solution :....remove hammer weight or install new lighter  hammers.Then with the hammers lifted out of the way.... weaken wippen springs tillthe weight of the wippen is barely supported, Or just starting to showthat it wants to rise.....then re-weight keys with springs engaged.
 Now it works


Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
209-577-8397
209-985-0990
Ronsen hammers/prep
Sitka Sound boards
Belly packages




-----Original Message-----
From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 9:30 am
Subject: [pianotech] Petrof grands

Hi All,

What do you folks think about Petrof Grands?  We were just donateda 1985 6'5" Walnut Polish grand.  It's been maintained extremelywell, but is about the heaviest playing piano I've ever come across.  I'venever worked on a Petrof grand, only a couple of uprights in my 20 yearsin this crazy business. It was delivered to my shop this morning and willprobably live in our University's "welcome center" lobby, soonly played a few times per year.  It's really heavy and built likea tank like old Mason and Hamlins.  

I'm considering trying the TouchRail system from PitchLock Co.  Hasanyone tried it out? 

Thanks 
Paul 


 
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