Pianotech

Hello all,

I am replacing a set of hammers and shanks on a Bechstein E from 1970. The last time hammers were replaced by another technician, the hammers were much bigger than the originals, and there were clearance issues in the high treble. He decided to leave the original hammers in the top octave or so, so for more than a decade, our symphony has been using this piano with two different sets of hammers.

As a Renner Academy graduate, I am most comfortable working with Renner Blue Points, so that was what I was planning on using. However, I am concerned about having touchweight issues and clearance issues with these hammers as well.

In terms of the clearance, hammer 88 on the original hammer has a diameter of 9.5mm, but a new Renner Blue Point has a diameter of 17mm. However, the original hammers are raked, so it is possible that the last tech didn't rake his hammers, which was causing the clearance issue.

In terms of the weight issue, right now there is a jump in balance weight from about 50-54 g in notes 70-75 (Isaac hammers) to about 44-47g in notes 76-88 (original hammers). Although I can reweight the keys, I am concerned about the added inertia with the Blue Points. Would I be better off just ordering Bechstein hammers directly from Abel? What have others done with this model of piano?

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
(250) 562-5358
ps@pspianos.com
------------------------------

I would suggest contacting Bechstein directly.

------------------------------
Parker Leigh RPT
Winchester VA
(540) 722-3865
------------------------------

Hi Peter,

I've had hammer sets from both Renner and Brooks where they were kind enough to narrow down the hammer widths for me. It seems to be something that's fairly easy for them to do if you provide the weight goals that you want for that set of hammers.

If I may make a suggestion, I would also feed the action measurements into an action geometry program. It seems to me like it's likely to be a higher action ratio than normal. You might find that you need to change something (knuckle size or capstan placement come to mind) in order to get the new hammers to work, regardless of how narrow and light they can get them for you.

Best of luck!

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
------------------------------

Given the exchange rate you will face when getting parts shipped from the US to Canada, plus the Canadian import charges, I you may want to look into getting the hammers from Europe.

Especially now that Bechstein is making selling its own hammers, which seem to be fantastic, on the open market.  Bechstein can probably deliver exactly what your piano needs.

------------------------------
Jurgen Goering
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2025 13:55
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Hi Peter,

I've had hammer sets from both Renner and Brooks where they were kind enough to narrow down the hammer widths for me. It seems to be something that's fairly easy for them to do if you provide the weight goals that you want for that set of hammers.

If I may make a suggestion, I would also feed the action measurements into an action geometry program. It seems to me like it's likely to be a higher action ratio than normal. You might find that you need to change something (knuckle size or capstan placement come to mind) in order to get the new hammers to work, regardless of how narrow and light they can get them for you.

Best of luck!

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/12/2025 1:17:00 AM
From: Jurgen Goering
Subject: RE: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Given the exchange rate you will face when getting parts shipped from the US to Canada, plus the Canadian import charges, I you may want to look into getting the hammers from Europe.

Especially now that Bechstein is making selling its own hammers, which seem to be fantastic, on the open market.  Bechstein can probably deliver exactly what your piano needs.

------------------------------
Jurgen Goering
------------------------------

Thanks for your help, everyone. I did contact Bechstein, and at the moment they aren't doing prehanging services. However, I do understand that I could potentially get them sent to Brooks to have them do it, but now it looks like I'd have tariff issues with that.

There is a bit of a sense in the community of the "good old days" with this piano, so I'm inclined to have the original sound and touchweight as the goal. I had a good talk with John at Brooks yesterday, and it sounds like they'll be able to do a good job with the Abel naturals.

------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
(250) 562-5358
ps@pspianos.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2025 03:41
From: David Pinnegar
Subject: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Agree completely contacting Bechstein although I've heard it said that modern Bechsteins have lost something from the old Bechsteins.

For that reason I'd still put approaching Abel into consideration. Their premium or organic or whatevertheycallit felts are superb and match very well with the sort of sound that those who know Bechstein expect.

Best wishes

David P

--

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
+44 1342 850594

Original Message:
Sent: 6/12/2025 1:17:00 AM
From: Jurgen Goering
Subject: RE: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Given the exchange rate you will face when getting parts shipped from the US to Canada, plus the Canadian import charges, I you may want to look into getting the hammers from Europe.

Especially now that Bechstein is making selling its own hammers, which seem to be fantastic, on the open market.  Bechstein can probably deliver exactly what your piano needs.

------------------------------
Jurgen Goering
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2025 13:55
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Hi Peter,

I've had hammer sets from both Renner and Brooks where they were kind enough to narrow down the hammer widths for me. It seems to be something that's fairly easy for them to do if you provide the weight goals that you want for that set of hammers.

If I may make a suggestion, I would also feed the action measurements into an action geometry program. It seems to me like it's likely to be a higher action ratio than normal. You might find that you need to change something (knuckle size or capstan placement come to mind) in order to get the new hammers to work, regardless of how narrow and light they can get them for you.

Best of luck!

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com

Original Message:
Sent: 6/12/2025 1:17:00 AM
From: Jurgen Goering
Subject: RE: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Given the exchange rate you will face when getting parts shipped from the US to Canada, plus the Canadian import charges, I you may want to look into getting the hammers from Europe.

Especially now that Bechstein is making selling its own hammers, which seem to be fantastic, on the open market.  Bechstein can probably deliver exactly what your piano needs.

------------------------------
Jurgen Goering
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/12/2025 10:28:00 AM
From: Melanie Brooks
Subject: RE: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

RE: TARIFFS

We have been hit with tariffs on our most recent Abel import @ approx 14%  

So it is happening.  We will most likely see a price increase as well 7/1.  Our customers will be the first to know once we have all our ducks in a row.

Melanie

--

Melanie Brooks

Brooks LTD LLC

152 Rte 163 Bldg A

Uncasville, CT 06382
800-326-2440

Original Message:
Sent: 6/12/2025 1:17:00 AM
From: Jurgen Goering
Subject: RE: Prehung Hammers for Bechstein E

Given the exchange rate you will face when getting parts shipped from the US to Canada, plus the Canadian import charges, I you may want to look into getting the hammers from Europe.

Especially now that Bechstein is making selling its own hammers, which seem to be fantastic, on the open market.  Bechstein can probably deliver exactly what your piano needs.

------------------------------
Jurgen Goering
------------------------------