"sweet" spot on hammers

[MorningDove]

Several players have referred to the "sweet spot" on a hammer. How do you know where it is, and how, on ovoid hammers, can you mark it without ruining the felt on the opposite side? Thanks.

[Heidi]

Um... I think I know what you're asking. - To me, the sweet spot is where your hammer make perfect contact with the string you're aiming for. That spot will depend upon the hammer design and other physics involved. I have marked some of my hammers. All I did was find my sweet spot. Carefully noting how I perceive it from the "back side" and then marked it with a small, contrasting dot. I used acrylic craft paint. It's just a tiny dot and does not effect the tone.

[MorningDove]

Thanks for the idea. I'll see if I can find some sort of paint that isn't too obvious, since I don't want to ruin the beautiful appearance of the hammers. They are oval in shape, and I suspect they don't actually strike both strings -- since they make a softer sound than my single-sided hammers which have a less curved surface. I'm trying to get a louder sound without having to resort to "thwack-ing," (which doesn't always get accurate results).

[Heidi]

Could be that a steep curve is not making full contact. I came to that conclusion about some round head hammers that I have. Also true with too light a hammer. (When I use a light hammer it sounds like do-do.) Or it could be the pad. I've had remarkably different results with different pieces of leather.

I look at hammers like anything else. I take good care of my stuff, but if I'm not using it, what's the point? (Yes, it's true. I am living on the edge. I even use china as everyday dishes! bah-ha-ha! The devil may care! )