There have been many different approaches to voicing, or “tone building” over the years. “Traditional” voicing consists mostly of using needles and sandpaper, and little else. There are other approaches that use lacquer, not just occasionally, but the tone of the hammer is developed by using hardening solutions. Yet others use softening solutions, steam, “squeezing pliers”, “special” needles. The list goes on and on.
We have approached this topic as no one else has dared: to include everything that we have seen or heard of in voicing. Of course, we will not be recommending some things but list them more as a caution to you. However, if a method seems fairly mainstream, especially if it has been used successfully by respected technicians in the business, we will include it and try to give some instruction based on our personal experience.
