[ Mike Knudsen wrote in 000609 MMD: ]

>  ... the piano technician wants to use "New-Tone" (sp?) hammers from
> England.  He says these are fairly soft in tone, but have just the
> right shank length and size and shape of the hammer tails for the
> backchecks, so mechanically they are the perfect drop-in replacements.

I have never used NuTone but I understand that they are decent, from
those who have used them.  My personal preference are Abel hammers from
Germany.  They are easy to voice and have a very warm tone.  Of course
there are also some other excellent hammers available.

I would strongly question your technician's reasoning on "shank length
and size and shape of the hammer tails".  There are no "drop-in
replacements".  _All_ new hammers out of the package are raw and uncut.
They do not have shanks nor are they bored for them, and the tails are
not shaped.

Hammers must be custom fit to every piano.  Shanks are also always sold
in the raw and must be cut to length _after_ the hammers have been
hung.  Be aware that there are many types and sizes of shanks and the
correct replacement must be used or the action geometry can be
compromised.

The typical procedure for the technician is to remove the first and
last hammer from each section of the action.  They are then mailed as
samples to the supplier, who will measure and duplicate the tail
length, shape, and the bore.  The placement and angle of the bore is
utmost critical for a proper fit to the strings and for correct
checking.

Some suppliers can also "pre-hang" the hammers, (mount the hammers on
the shanks and trim them).  Again the samples are required and, as
expected, there is an additional charge for this service.  Once the new
hammers and shanks have been installed they must be properly spaced,
aligned, and then traveled.  A complete regulation of the action should
follow.

The only real exception to a "mail order drop-in fit" is if the hammers
and shanks are for a common production piano, for example a Steinway D
or a Yamaha C-3.  Suppliers already have the measurements and specs for
these and can make them from a template pattern they keep on hand.

You should never have to "just take what I get and learn to like it."
If you have quality hammers that were properly duplicated, properly
hung, and properly voiced, you should have excellent results.  Demand
that your technician follow this procedure.

Best regards,

Rob Goodale,
Registered Piano Technician