I have rarely found the need to harden the Wurzen Low Profile hammers with the possible exception of the top half a dozen notes. I have installed them on many B's (as well as a host of A's, Ms, O's, Ls) and I just visited a B that I'm bringing down just slightly after a year or two of modest playing. I installed a set on a Bosendorfer 225 last year and while I think it's a bit under what I might like, the player (serious 5-hour-a-day player) loves them and doesn't want me touching them. Were it left to me I would probably harden just slightly from about note 60 to the top, maybe 20% PianoLac solution and bring up the wrapped string area a bit as well (btw it was his request that I put on something softer than the stock Boesy hammer). Most of the time with this particular felt I am doing very little other than smoothing. With Weickert or Bacon I have found it necessary to do some hardening more often. Before I put any lacquer on I would deliver the action and explain that you'd like the player to put 50 - 100 hours on the instrument. For serious players that's a couple of months at most. Let them know that you can bring it up but you'd like to see how the hammers develop. In the meantime do make sure that you have very precise hammer mating and polish the tops of the hammers with 1000 grit paper (going incrementally from about 400, 600, 800). The paper should squeak a bit over the hammers at the end.
On the other hand I just installed a set of Blue Points on a Grotrian 225 and I think it's about perfect (some pre and post needling required, but not a lot) and the customer wants the bass to have a bit more bite.
It's hard to predict these things exactly. I like to get something on there that's as close to my target out of the box so the modifications I make are minimal. That can require some experimenting and experience but well worth the trouble, IMO.
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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.comdavidlovepianos@comcast.net415 407 8320
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2018 12:53
From: William McKaig
Subject: Voicing Ronsen Hammers
Any idea what is in this new hammer hardener?
Roger, I like resilient hammers and I fill that once you fill the hammer with too much hardener it becomes two dimensional (loud/soft). I usually use Abel Naturals or Renner Blue Points which are voice down hammers. I can adjust the brightness of these as well as the shape of the tone.
David, these are Wurzen felt low profile hammers. I chose these because you posted here in the past that is what you would use for a "B" or "D". I was hoping they would not need to be brought up and they may not if the customer likes them the way they are. If the piano was for me though I could not leave them the way they are.
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William McKaig
Tampa FL
813-831-4179
Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2018 11:47
From: David Love
Subject: Voicing Ronsen Hammers
Generally I use PianoLac from Pianotek, though it is a lacquer based product. A 20% solution will work well on that hammer and is probably all you need. That's a relatively mild solution of this product. It will bring it up but not over do it. Using a 4oz hypo oiler put 20 grams of lacquer and fill the rest with either lacquer thinner or acetone (80 grams--they hold about 100 grams).
I use this product because it remains flexible and doesn't get crystalline like most lacquers. Nice for table tops but not for hammers. You want the fiber to maintain its flexibility and regular lacquers or sanding sealers are the wrong stuff for that reason, IMO. I'm not familiar with these new products so can't comment there.
To apply just apply from the high shoulder to get complete saturation all the way to the crown. Expect to do some smoothing or fine shallo crown needling after.
Do not use keytop solution for bringing up hammers generally. Ok in a pinch for light application at the crown when needed but don't soak hammers with keytop solution.
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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2018 10:56
From: David Love
Subject: Voicing Ronsen Hammers
Which felt from Ronsen?
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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2018 16:07
From: William McKaig
Subject: Voicing Ronsen Hammers
I am currently working on a Steinway "B". The customer prefers a very mellow sound so I selected Ronsen low profile hammers. After installing them, I think they may need to be brought up just a little. They sound warm, but they lack power when you try to play loud. So I am looking for suggestions on how to best treat the hammers.
One other issue is that I am very sensitive to lacquer and don't keep any in the shop. I can work with keytop/acetone and/or shellac.
The customer has not heard the piano yet so I may not even have to do anything, but I want to be prepared just in case.
Bill
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William McKaig,RPT
Tampa FL
813-831-4179
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