Pianotech

Hello, I've had a little trouble finding any literature that talks about voicing hammers from the side in the Journal. The side voicing pliers are on the pricey side, and I'd like to research them before taking the plunge. For those of you who use this method, what are its strengths and weaknesses? What situations would or would you not use it? Any information would be great, thank you!

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Tim Foster RPT
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
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If you have not read Voice of the Piano by Oerbeek read it. Best book on voicing,  available at Erwins.

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Parker Leigh RPT
Winchester VA
(540) 722-3865
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Also PTJ July, 2001 article by Keith Akins, Voicing For the Rest of Us

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Ben Palmer
Baltimore MD
(410) 790-0618
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Probably because it's not a common practice.  Some manufacturers do (or did) advocate side needling but it depends on what you're after and what part of the hammer you are trying to change.  Typically, side needling is done at minimal depth from the outer layer of the hammer, maybe 3-5 mm.  Its purpose is usually to loosen the outer layers of felt which might be constricting the hammer's ability to "bulge" when compressed.  Increasing the hammer's ability to react that way effectively removes tension from the strikepoint of the hammer and effectively softens it.  What it doesn't do is address the deeper layers of dense felt in the lower shoulder (9-10:30) that changes the lower spring rate of the hammer.  I don't think the Oerbeek book addresses side-needling.  

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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
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The only manufacturer that I was aware of who actively advocated side voicing was Ari Isaac.  His website, (which displays as 'not secure' for transactions) is 
http://isaacpiano.com/
"To increase the piano hammer flexing, the felt between the molding and the outside of the piano hammer is softened up by sticking a single needle right through the flat side of the hammer, so the point of the needle is seen on the opposite side. The area immediately above the molding or next to the molding at shoulder level is softened by 5/6 stitches."
This would, of course, be applicable to his style of hammer making.

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David Skolnik [RPT]
Hastings-on-Hudson NY
(917) 589-2625
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-20-2026 15:51
From: David Love
Subject: Hammer voicing from the side

Probably because it's not a common practice.  Some manufacturers do (or did) advocate side needling but it depends on what you're after and what part of the hammer you are trying to change.  Typically, side needling is done at minimal depth from the outer layer of the hammer, maybe 3-5 mm.  Its purpose is usually to loosen the outer layers of felt which might be constricting the hammer's ability to "bulge" when compressed.  Increasing the hammer's ability to react that way effectively removes tension from the strikepoint of the hammer and effectively softens it.  What it doesn't do is address the deeper layers of dense felt in the lower shoulder (9-10:30) that changes the lower spring rate of the hammer.  I don't think the Oerbeek book addresses side-needling.  

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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
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