I'm replacing hammers, shanks, and flanges on a 30-yr-old 6'9" Schimmel. Customer wore 'em out, playing mostly Bach - Schubert, so the parts towards the ends of the piano are largely unused. I measured touchweight, because he wants it the same, and got some readings like I've never seen before:
In the bass, down weight averages 40 grams, and up weight is 22 grams. Bushings and balance holes are like new; hammers are like new - I've never seen anything as light as this action - not that still worked. The hammer moldings aren't even tapered, not on the sides, or on the tails!
It gets even trippier in the part of the piano he does play (though bushings are loose there): middle C measures 32 down, 20 up, and a random note in the treble with proper flange pinning, A-b 5, measures 35 down, 26 up!
My customer loves it. I'm sending in samples to Renner for duplication with their Blue Points - does anybody know how exactly they duplicate the weight of your samples, if you request their boring, shaping, tailing and side tapering services? (I'm getting them pre-hung, as well) Is there another source for Schimmel hammers?
Schimmel parts are so great, this is the first time I've ever replaced hammers, shanks, and flanges on a Schimmel - in 30+ years at this. They just don't seem to wear out...
Funny story: this happened, in part, because for about 10 years, every time I went to tune and the hammers sounded awful, I'd ask: ...Sure you don't want me to voice it?" And he'd say "No". Finally, after 10 years, I found out he thought "voicing" meant "Make it louder", because once he'd had the hammers reshaped, and it got louder! Ha ha...
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Linda Scott, RPT
Portland, OR
503-231-9732
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