Pianotech

I have a new client that would like the hammerheads on both of his Gors & Kallmann upright pianos to be replaced. The pianos are 128cm in height, and did have a complete action overhaul about a decade ago (not by me) but never had the hammers replaced, as I think the client was happy with them then. He has asked me the following "I want the 2 pianos to sound as similar as possible with a tone closer to Blüthner/Bechstein than to Steinway. Much more of the mellow/warm/rich sound than the bright/harsh tone."

I have the options of using one of three different piano hammer sets, for each piano, and wondered if anyone can give some advice as to which set would best suit these Gors & Kallmann upright pianos according to my client's request?

1. Abel natural with hornbeam moulding
2. Abel natural with mahogany moulding
3. Abel natural impregnated lower shoulders

Another question, should the hammers have underfelt or not?

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Mark

Since you want to go with Abels, I would suggest you call Melany or John at Brooks LTD, and ask for their advice on how the hammers will sound on those two pianos. They can be reached at 800-326-2440.  They will give good, honest advice.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 16:49
From: Mark Davis
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

I have a new client that would like the hammerheads on both of his Gors & Kallmann upright pianos to be replaced. The pianos are 128cm in height, and did have a complete action overhaul about a decade ago (not by me) but never had the hammers replaced, as I think the client was happy with them then. He has asked me the following "I want the 2 pianos to sound as similar as possible with a tone closer to Blüthner/Bechstein than to Steinway. Much more of the mellow/warm/rich sound than the bright/harsh tone."

I have the options of using one of three different piano hammer sets, for each piano, and wondered if anyone can give some advice as to which set would best suit these Gors & Kallmann upright pianos according to my client's request?

1. Abel natural with hornbeam moulding
2. Abel natural with mahogany moulding
3. Abel natural impregnated lower shoulders

Another question, should the hammers have underfelt or not?

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Make sure the new hammers are not too wide and thus too heavy. I suspect of the three options you described the naturals on mahogany will be the most warm toned.

------------------------------
Edward McMorrow
Edmonds WA
425-299-3431
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 22:41
From: Willem Blees
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Mark

Since you want to go with Abels, I would suggest you call Melany or John at Brooks LTD, and ask for their advice on how the hammers will sound on those two pianos. They can be reached at 800-326-2440.  They will give good, honest advice.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 16:49
From: Mark Davis
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

I have a new client that would like the hammerheads on both of his Gors & Kallmann upright pianos to be replaced. The pianos are 128cm in height, and did have a complete action overhaul about a decade ago (not by me) but never had the hammers replaced, as I think the client was happy with them then. He has asked me the following "I want the 2 pianos to sound as similar as possible with a tone closer to Blüthner/Bechstein than to Steinway. Much more of the mellow/warm/rich sound than the bright/harsh tone."

I have the options of using one of three different piano hammer sets, for each piano, and wondered if anyone can give some advice as to which set would best suit these Gors & Kallmann upright pianos according to my client's request?

1. Abel natural with hornbeam moulding
2. Abel natural with mahogany moulding
3. Abel natural impregnated lower shoulders

Another question, should the hammers have underfelt or not?

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Thanks Wim and Ed for your replies!


------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 00:56
From: Edward McMorrow
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Make sure the new hammers are not too wide and thus too heavy. I suspect of the three options you described the naturals on mahogany will be the most warm toned.

------------------------------
Edward McMorrow
Edmonds WA
425-299-3431

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 22:41
From: Willem Blees
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Mark

Since you want to go with Abels, I would suggest you call Melany or John at Brooks LTD, and ask for their advice on how the hammers will sound on those two pianos. They can be reached at 800-326-2440.  They will give good, honest advice.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 16:49
From: Mark Davis
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

I have a new client that would like the hammerheads on both of his Gors & Kallmann upright pianos to be replaced. The pianos are 128cm in height, and did have a complete action overhaul about a decade ago (not by me) but never had the hammers replaced, as I think the client was happy with them then. He has asked me the following "I want the 2 pianos to sound as similar as possible with a tone closer to Blüthner/Bechstein than to Steinway. Much more of the mellow/warm/rich sound than the bright/harsh tone."

I have the options of using one of three different piano hammer sets, for each piano, and wondered if anyone can give some advice as to which set would best suit these Gors & Kallmann upright pianos according to my client's request?

1. Abel natural with hornbeam moulding
2. Abel natural with mahogany moulding
3. Abel natural impregnated lower shoulders

Another question, should the hammers have underfelt or not?

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Does it matter whether the hammers have an underfelt or not? Does it affect the tone if hammers do not have underfelt?

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 02:40
From: Mark Davis
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Thanks Wim and Ed for your replies!


------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 00:56
From: Edward McMorrow
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Make sure the new hammers are not too wide and thus too heavy. I suspect of the three options you described the naturals on mahogany will be the most warm toned.

------------------------------
Edward McMorrow
Edmonds WA
425-299-3431

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 22:41
From: Willem Blees
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

Mark

Since you want to go with Abels, I would suggest you call Melany or John at Brooks LTD, and ask for their advice on how the hammers will sound on those two pianos. They can be reached at 800-326-2440.  They will give good, honest advice.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2018 16:49
From: Mark Davis
Subject: which Hammerheads should I use?

I have a new client that would like the hammerheads on both of his Gors & Kallmann upright pianos to be replaced. The pianos are 128cm in height, and did have a complete action overhaul about a decade ago (not by me) but never had the hammers replaced, as I think the client was happy with them then. He has asked me the following "I want the 2 pianos to sound as similar as possible with a tone closer to Blüthner/Bechstein than to Steinway. Much more of the mellow/warm/rich sound than the bright/harsh tone."

I have the options of using one of three different piano hammer sets, for each piano, and wondered if anyone can give some advice as to which set would best suit these Gors & Kallmann upright pianos according to my client's request?

1. Abel natural with hornbeam moulding
2. Abel natural with mahogany moulding
3. Abel natural impregnated lower shoulders

Another question, should the hammers have underfelt or not?

Thank you.

------------------------------
Mark Davis
Piano Tuner/Technician
------------------------------