At Music China 2020, the Pearl River Piano Group unveiled their groundbreaking hammer management system, PR2.0, which was the result of extensive research and development efforts. This innovative system was introduced as part of a significant product launch by the world’s leading piano group, known for their status as the best-selling piano brand worldwide.
The aim of advancing beyond conventional European craftsmanship, and with the help of advanced CNC technologies, the PR2.0 hammer system is a significant step forward in the creation of concert-grade hammers. It was a challenging undertaking, requiring almost a year of constant laboratory testing and 1,458 adjustments before the PR2.0 system was finalized.
During the early 1700s, an instrument maker from Florence, Italy, named Bartolomeo Cristofori, grew discontented with the limited control over volume provided by harpsichords. As a solution, he embarked on a remarkable innovation by replacing the plucking mechanism of the harpsichord with a hammer system. This revolutionary instrument was named the “gravicembalo col piano e forte,” which translates to “harpsichord with soft and loud,” signifying its ability to produce varying dynamics.
In the subsequent years, the piano hammer underwent several changes. Initially, Cristofori wrapped his hammers with deer leather. Later, he devised a method to catch the hammer on the rebound after escapement, thereby preventing it from bouncing off the strings. Subsequently, Johann Andreas Stein introduced the Viennese/German hammer action, which enhanced the player’s control by incorporating a damper pedal. These advancements resulted in improved sound and dynamics, which in turn inspired classical music greats such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven to create compositions that continue to captivate audiences even today.
For over two centuries, German-produced hammers held a dominant position in the piano industry. However, a significant shift occurred when the Pearl River Piano Group entrusted their research and development department with the creation of an extraordinary hammer management system called PR2.0. This groundbreaking innovation was introduced during the grand product launch at Music China 2020, where the world’s best-selling piano group showcased an impressive array of new offerings.
The imported Wurzen AA grade German white outer felt, made from wool shorn from live sheep, is used in the PR2.0 hammer for Ritmüller RSH models and Kayserburg Artist and Excellent Series. It is formed and fastened over select hardwood cores for maximum resilience and structural integrity. Improved hammer shanks adopt the grand piano concept for the ultimate balancing, while each hammer undergoes a minimum of five inspections to earn quality control certification.
Different models utilize varying inner felt options for the PR2.0 hammers. For example, the Ritmüller RSH series incorporates an elegant blue inner felt, which contributes to a clean and pure sound. On the other hand, the Pearl River Prestige Series upright pianos employ a premium red inner felt paired with rare hornbeam wood hammer cores. This combination allows for the production of deep and resonant tones, emulating the qualities found in larger instruments, while expanding the sweet spot of the bass range.
300-plus years after the first piano hammer hit a string, the Pearl River Piano Group is continually pushing forward with innovations that improve the playability and sound of the most iconic and important musical instrument. While the PR2.0 hammer system is a noteworthy milestone it is by no means the last
