a simple question regarding the hammer core and its measurement:
1) is the mahogany, hornbeam, or walnut core heavier?
2) do the numbers that appear next to the hammer models 4, 5, and 6, for example "Martelliera coda 6 mog. cfarancio agr LT8075 27 bassi" or "Martelliera coda 5 acero cfviola agr LT82/72 21bassi" indicate the quantity/size of the felt or the density?
3) Finally, does a size 5 hammer with a measurement of 88/80, in addition to the length of the core, also have more felt compared to an 82/72 also size 5?
a easy question regarding the hammer shank and its measurement:
1) is the mahogany, hornbeam, or walnut shank heavier?
The walnut shank is the lightest, followed by mahogany and hornbeam in order of growth. In any case, the shank accounts for 30-35% of the total weight of a hammer if we take the first one in the bass as a reference.
On 3/3/2018 at 20:41, vincenzo83 said:
2) do the numbers that appear next to hammer models 4, 5 and 6, for example "Martelliera coda 6 mog. cfarancio agr LT8075 27 bassi" or " Martelliera coda 5 acero cfviola agr LT82/72 21bassi" indicate the quantity/size of the felt or the density?
This is only valid for the Renner company, which produces three heads of different sizes. The amount of felt increases from number 4 to 6. The density of the felt, however, depends on the type/brand of felt used. These are characteristics that can be requested directly from the manufacturer.
On 3/3/2018 at 20:41, vincenzo83 said:
3) Finally, does a size 5 88/80 hammer, besides the length of the shank, also have more felt compared to an 82/72, also size 5?
The mahogany hammer rail is the lightest. But that's not necessarily true; today many oriental essences are used that have different densities and resemble the woods you mentioned. The numbers indicate the total length of the bass / and treble. The color of the underfelt is just a look. The proportion between felt and wood depends on what the Manufacturer wants to express. Undoubtedly, a hammer rail with less felt results in a harder sound, but at the origin there is always a proportion between the two materials. Obviously, the use of impregnating agents changes everything. All comparisons are difficult in this setting. It is advisable, however, to respect the original hammer rail (provided it has been preserved). I thought I had sent this response..... Giovanni preceded me and I completely agree with his punctual observations.
In my opinion, every manufacturer has its own peculiarities and secrets. Renner makes excellent hammers and is famous in Europe and beyond. Abel also makes good hammers of different sizes and is attentive to the reproduction of originals. The shape of the hammers, their compression, and their impregnation determine the result. The shape of the hammers can vary. People speak of "egg" shape, "diamond" shape, etc., and this shape deals with the type of voicing. Compression and/or impregnation develops hardness and power in the hammer, especially in the "forte". Undoubtedly, there is a proportion between the hammer core and the felt surrounding it. Different reactions to impact occur between the lows and the highs. Hammers that are too shaved can lose their "nature" and, regardless of the age of the now-rigid felt, almost always produce a "woody" sound poor in harmonics. The quality of the felt is certainly important, but only when framed within a treatment that that specific type of hammer requires.
