How to replace Wurlitzer 200 hammer tips.

Started by kbucks, February 17, 2015, 09:02:41 PM

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kbucks

I just ordered some new hammer tips for my converted wurlitzer 206a.  The hammers are worn out on three keys and causing some extra noise.  I'm trying to figure out how to get these hammer tips off and put the new ones in there.  I've seen some videos where people are using a soldering iron to loosen up the tip.  I tried this and just ended up taking a chunk out of the hammer. I can melt some of the glue but the tip stays in.  Has anyone ever successfully done this?  Thanks!

cinnanon

Heat the sides of the slot as well as the top. Should come out. Almost like dried gum.

pianotuner steveo

#2
Wurlitzer recommended doing this with a soldering iron...do not use a lighter. This is also how you change the front to back strike point in a Wurli.  I have never had trouble loosening one with the iron. Maybe you aren't holding it there long enough, or your iron isn't high enough wattage.

I assume the bad tips are high treble since the felt wears away here. You can add felt there in a pinch if you use the right kind.

To anyone who does not know, you loosen the wooden tip from the hammer butt, not removing felt.


Who has replacement hammer tips?
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

Tim W

We use a heat gun with a narrow nozzle so as not to ruin the appearance of the hammer.  It also allows the whole area to be heated more uniformly.

Tim
retrolinear.com

kbucks

Thanks for the advice. Perhaps these are just too old because they aren't coming out without a big mess!  I'm cutting my loses and buying new hammers, only a couple bucks more than the tips each.  Should have done that in the first place. Hopefully the "new" ones will cooperate a bit more if I need to move them.  Thanks again everyone!

pianotuner steveo

Again, where are you finding new hammers/hammer tips?

It sounds like maybe someone reglued these with incorrect glue. I've never heard if these being that difficult to remove.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...