Pianotech

  • 1.  "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-06-2021 10:42
    I just serviced a nicely rebuilt S&S "L".  I was curious about the hammers as the owner asked for voicing.  He inquired of the rebuilder and was told:
    The hammers on your piano are "Pacific Gold Hammers" made by the pacific piano company in CA
    I wasn't aware that Pacific Piano Supply actually made hammers.  Can anyone provide more detail regarding what these actually are and any personal experience with them?

    --Keith





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    Keith Akins
    Akins Pianocraft
    Menominee MI
    715-775-0022
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  • 2.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Posted 05-07-2021 09:29
    Hi Keith ~  I believe they are specially made by Imedagawa for Pacific Piano but you'd have to call them to confirm that ...  Meanwhile, here's the description from their catalog.


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    Melanie Brooks
    Brooks, Ltd. Piano Products LLC
    Uncasville CT
    860-848-6605
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  • 3.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-07-2021 16:08
    Melanie,
      Thanks for your help.  I'm trying to get registered into their system but that hasn't completed yet. 
    I planned on calling to get the direct word but wanted to get some general information first.  
    Frankly, I wondered if we had a situation similar to the International Piano guy in Oregon that had "manufactured" hammers -- but his definition of "manufactured" was to bore oriental imported blank hammers. And, his responses to queries was very opaque. 

    To everyone...
    I still wonder if anyone can report first-hand impressions.  I have my own from working with 1 set but would like to get other perspectives. 

    --Keith

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    Keith Akins
    Akins Pianocraft
    Menominee MI
    715-775-0022
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  • 4.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-07-2021 19:07
    Keith,
    Way back when -- the late 70s, early 80s -- George Defebaugh had a line of Japanese hammers he was marketing, "Superior Hammers." They apparently were a Tokiwa product, similar to the Imadegawa (sp?) hammers PianoTek started marketing in the 80s. George also had a series of instructional videotapes he made featuring himself and Jim Coleman Senior, also branded as a "Superior product." George passed in the 1980s, and eventually Pacific Piano Supply took over the brand, and importing other Tokiwa action parts. Oh, the underfelt of the Superior Hammers was a bright yellow/gold. That, plus California being "the Gold state", you've got "Pacific Gold."

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    Patrick Draine
    Billerica MA
    978-663-9690
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  • 5.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-07-2021 09:35
    Hi Keith,
    I was just as curious as you upon reading this. Their catalog says they are available exclusively from them, but it does not say they are made by them.
    Their info also says that they are the exclusive seller or Tokiwa - apparently that needs updating.
    The hammers look Japanese in construction to me but one can't be sure without calling them.

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    Tom Wright, RPT
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  • 6.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Posted 05-07-2021 09:45
    They are the exclusive "importer" of the Tokiwa parts and Randy Morton of Pacific has been instrumental in all of the design work for their parts.  They import products for other distributors such as Schaff, Pianotek and Brooks LTD who also sell Tokiwa Action parts.

    Melanie

    --
    Melanie Brooks
    Brooks LTD LLC
    152 Rte 163 Bldg A
    Uncasville, CT 06382
    800-326-2440






  • 7.  RE: "Pacific Gold" hammers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-07-2021 12:46
    Aha! Thank you for the clarification! Nice to know how these folks fit into our world, me being an ignorant East coast guy.
    Best.