[pianotech] Hammers - was Brighter Yamaha

[Joseph Garrett]

I've heard that stuff, from lots of techs. Then...I went out and got the hammers they were lauding. Every time it was a royal pain in the tush. If you have to "pre-voice" a set of hammers, then, in my book, they're crap! Simple as that. I have been useing Ronsen for almost 40 years and have little problem. When there was a problem, Ray made it good. It doesn't get any bette than that. I will concede that there are certain situations that dictate a different hammer, as in, let's say Yamaha or Kawai. In that case, I know I'm dealing with a different critter and I'll get the appropriate hammer. Those that you've mentioned are not on my list, ...(yet). Perhaps, as I'll try to keep an open mind. It is difficult when I've had such good results from a company that realizes our needs and steps up to give us that. You use what works for you and the "piano tone" in your mind or the customer's mind. I'll do the same.
Best,
Joe


----- Original Message ----- 
From: William Monroe 
To: joegarrett at earthlink.net;pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 12/1/2012 5:04:42 PM 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hammers - was Brighter Yamaha


Only one?  While it may be true that a number of piano manufacturers and some hammer makers continue to produce garbage, the pendulum is clearly (in my view) swinging in the favor of well-made hammers.  


Ronson is one, and I like them.  But instantly I think of some of the offerings from Abel, Renner Blue Points, WN&G's "Selects," or "Naturals."  And even our old friend S&S is changing their hammer making to produce something more along these lines.  True, S&S isn't quite there yet, but I find that when I need to use their hammers (the choice isn't always mine to make) they are very usable with not a great deal of "heroics."


William R. Monroe









On Fri, Nov 30, 2012 at 10:06 PM, Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net> wrote:

Del said:
"I?d be happy if hammer makers would simply stick within the known bounds
of what wool will tolerate. It?s been known for some time now that pressing
wool felt with lots of moisture and too much pressure and too much heat
produces piano hammer shaped objects that are incapable of producing the
basic musical nuances we expect from our pianos yet some hammermakers?and
pianomakers?continue pressing wool felt with too much moisture and too much
pressure and too much heat forcing the stuff into something having the
shape?but not the soul?of piano hammers. And piano technicians continue
buying these atrocities and they continue recommending the pianos fitted
with them to their overly trusting customers. And then, when the pianos
don?t sound ?right,? they have to drag out every heroic voicing technique
in the book in a desperate attempt to make those piano hammer shaped
whatever-they-are musically less bad. Bah! Humbug!"

ddf, (Del),
Since you taught me I will have to say: YEAH!!!!!! What you said TIMES TEN!
Why is it that we, essentially only have one hammer manucturer that
understands that? The rest?, continue to make these BEHEMOTHS that just
don't work! Thank God for Ray/ Ronse Piano Hammers INC!@!!!
Thanks
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I







-- 
William R. Monroe, RPT
A440-William R. Monroe Piano Services, Inc.
314 E. Church St.
Belleville, WI 53508
608-215-3250
www.a440piano.net
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