how to fix this issue?

[Todd A. Anderson]

Hi,

I have a grand piano that has a problem with one key. When you let go of
a key (Eb2 I think, at the cross over between two-strings and three and
likewise
the change in direction of the strings) the note will continue to ring for a
short
time (sounds like a buzz sometimes). By tinkering with the strings for this
key,
I've determined that the two left strings are being corrected dampened but
the rightmost string is not. If I apply slight downward pressure on the
damper
then the note is stopped correctly. If I hold down this Eb, E, and F then I
can see that the damper for Eb is ever so slightly higher than E and F.
This
leads me to believe that I need to adjust the damper slightly downwards.
Does the diagnose seem correct and if so how do I do this adjustment?

thanks,

Todd

[John Inzer]

Post by Todd A. Anderson
Hi,
I have a grand piano that has a problem with one key. When you let
go of a key (Eb2 I think, at the cross over between two-strings and three
and likewise
the change in direction of the strings) the note will continue to
ring for a short
time (sounds like a buzz sometimes). By tinkering with the strings
for this key,
I've determined that the two left strings are being corrected
dampened but the rightmost string is not. If I apply slight downward
pressure on the damper
then the note is stopped correctly. If I hold down this Eb, E, and F
then I can see that the damper for Eb is ever so slightly higher than
E and F. This
leads me to believe that I need to adjust the damper slightly
downwards. Does the diagnose seem correct and if so how do I do this
adjustment?
thanks,
Todd

==============================
Bending the damper wire is not a good
idea...it could make the problem worse.

Press the offending key very slowly and
notice when the damper begins to lift.

If the damper lifts immediately...the
damper wire needs to be reseated in
the underlever. This is a job for a tech.
(damper lift should begin when the key
is approximately 1/3 depressed.

One more thought...do the strings in
question have agraffes? If not.....you may
be able to move the string slightly closer
to the damper.

[c***@flapper.com]

On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:44:49 -0700, "Todd A. Anderson"

Post by Todd A. Anderson
Hi,
I have a grand piano that has a problem with one key. When you let go of
a key (Eb2 I think, at the cross over between two-strings and three and
likewise
the change in direction of the strings) the note will continue to ring for a
short
time (sounds like a buzz sometimes). By tinkering with the strings for this
key,
I've determined that the two left strings are being corrected dampened but
the rightmost string is not. If I apply slight downward pressure on the
damper
then the note is stopped correctly. If I hold down this Eb, E, and F then I
can see that the damper for Eb is ever so slightly higher than E and F.
This
leads me to believe that I need to adjust the damper slightly downwards.
Does the diagnose seem correct and if so how do I do this adjustment?
thanks,

The damper needs to be level, exactly in line with the strings, and
not fall to the left or right so that the wedge falls directly in the
middle. If that doesn't do it, usually that means that the felt is a
little harder than it should be and it needs to be replaced.

Hope that helps.

Checker

[Todd A. Anderson]

Post by c***@flapper.com
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:44:49 -0700, "Todd A. Anderson"

Post by Todd A. Anderson
Hi,
I have a grand piano that has a problem with one key. When you let go of
a key (Eb2 I think, at the cross over between two-strings and three and
likewise
the change in direction of the strings) the note will continue to ring for a
short
time (sounds like a buzz sometimes). By tinkering with the strings for this
key,
I've determined that the two left strings are being corrected dampened but
the rightmost string is not. If I apply slight downward pressure on the
damper
then the note is stopped correctly. If I hold down this Eb, E, and F then I
can see that the damper for Eb is ever so slightly higher than E and F.
This
leads me to believe that I need to adjust the damper slightly downwards.
Does the diagnose seem correct and if so how do I do this adjustment?
thanks,

The damper needs to be level, exactly in line with the strings, and
not fall to the left or right so that the wedge falls directly in the
middle. If that doesn't do it, usually that means that the felt is a
little harder than it should be and it needs to be replaced.

http://www.concertpitchpiano.com/GrandActionModel.html

What does the "damper wire screw" do? Does it allow the vertical
adjustment of the damper wire? If so, under what circumstances would
you adjust the damper wire up or down?

From what I could see, the wedge falls directly in the middle but why
would it be the case that the felt on one side of the damper is harder
than the other?

[John Inzer]

Post by Todd A. Anderson
What does the "damper wire screw" do? Does it allow the vertical
adjustment of the damper wire? If so, under what circumstances would
you adjust the damper wire up or down?

=================================
The screw allows vertical adjustment and also
controls the correct alignment (rotation) with
the strings.
=================================

Post by Todd A. Anderson
From what I could see, the wedge falls directly in the middle but why
would it be the case that the felt on one side of the damper is harder
than the other?

=================================
It still sounds like the damper is riding too
high. Did you check the lift like I suggested?

The weight of the damper head should rest
on the string. If there is no lost motion
between the lifter felt on the back of the key
and the underlever the weight would be
supported by the key and the damper would
leak. This is why the key should travel 1/3 of
it's dip (approx 1/8") before lifting the damper.

[Rich P]

I'm going with the agraffe theory. I think the string has shifted out of
alignment and just needs a nudge. Maybe one of the other strings shifted
closer together. Either way that's probably it.

If not and the piano does have agraffes, then it should be addressed by a
tech. If anyone disturbed the alignment of the damper felt and it developed
some bad trend, it's best to let someone who knows how to deal with this do
their job and fix it. Dampers can really make for a rough time if you don't
know how to deal with them correctly.

It's also possible that the guide rail has shifted or that the lever has
come unglued or broken at the flange and is now out of alignment. There are
many possibilities, if it's not a shifted wire you should consult an expert.

What is the make of the piano and how old is it?

Rich Pierro
A-Sharp Piano Rebuilding
http://www.pianorebuilder.com

Post by John Inzer

Post by Todd A. Anderson
What does the "damper wire screw" do? Does it allow the vertical
adjustment of the damper wire? If so, under what circumstances would
you adjust the damper wire up or down?

=================================
The screw allows vertical adjustment and also
controls the correct alignment (rotation) with
the strings.
=================================

Post by Todd A. Anderson
From what I could see, the wedge falls directly in the middle but why
would it be the case that the felt on one side of the damper is harder
than the other?

=================================
It still sounds like the damper is riding too
high. Did you check the lift like I suggested?
The weight of the damper head should rest
on the string. If there is no lost motion
between the lifter felt on the back of the key
and the underlever the weight would be
supported by the key and the damper would
leak. This is why the key should travel 1/3 of
it's dip (approx 1/8") before lifting the damper.
--
John Inzer

[Todd A. Anderson]

Post by Rich P
I'm going with the agraffe theory. I think the string has shifted out of
alignment and just needs a nudge. Maybe one of the other strings shifted
closer together. Either way that's probably it.
If not and the piano does have agraffes, then it should be addressed by a
tech. If anyone disturbed the alignment of the damper felt and it
developed some bad trend, it's best to let someone who knows how to deal
with this do their job and fix it. Dampers can really make for a rough
time if you don't know how to deal with them correctly.
It's also possible that the guide rail has shifted or that the lever has
come unglued or broken at the flange and is now out of alignment. There
are many possibilities, if it's not a shifted wire you should consult an
expert.
What is the make of the piano and how old is it?

Kohler and Campbell. SKG-500 (if I recall correctly). It is about 6 years
old
but I bought it only a year ago.

I tried taking out the action and adjusting the damper wire. Perhaps it
helped
a little bit but the problem is still there to some degree. Is there any
danger
in waiting until the next tuning to have the technician look at it? Can the
problem
get irretrievably worse if I wait?

thanks,

Todd

[c***@flapper.net]

On Thu, 6 Sep 2007 11:42:36 -0700, "Todd A. Anderson"

Post by Todd A. Anderson

Post by Rich P
I'm going with the agraffe theory. I think the string has shifted out of
alignment and just needs a nudge. Maybe one of the other strings shifted
closer together. Either way that's probably it.
If not and the piano does have agraffes, then it should be addressed by a
tech. If anyone disturbed the alignment of the damper felt and it
developed some bad trend, it's best to let someone who knows how to deal
with this do their job and fix it. Dampers can really make for a rough
time if you don't know how to deal with them correctly.
It's also possible that the guide rail has shifted or that the lever has
come unglued or broken at the flange and is now out of alignment. There
are many possibilities, if it's not a shifted wire you should consult an
expert.
What is the make of the piano and how old is it?

Kohler and Campbell. SKG-500 (if I recall correctly). It is about 6 years
old
but I bought it only a year ago.
I tried taking out the action and adjusting the damper wire. Perhaps it
helped
a little bit but the problem is still there to some degree. Is there any
danger
in waiting until the next tuning to have the technician look at it? Can the
problem
get irretrievably worse if I wait?
thanks,
Todd

No, nothing bad will happen if you wait except that your blood
pressure might get too high! :-)

Checker