[CAUT] (no subject)

[Sloane, Benjamin (sloaneba)]

   Hello Jim Busby,
   Before you start tuning it, I have a story to share.
   You suspect as much. I have a client with an aging Baldwin L that had felt under the front duplex segment of the capo section that made it impossible to tune. It was hard as a rock. After phoning a few local technicians who could not ascertain why the capo would not stay in tune for more than a week or two when returning after tuning it once in a week or two I decided to carve down the felt between the strings until it appeared the strings cleared the felt without bearing on it. 
   Now she only calls me about once every two years, and it will still be in tune then. Simple solution to a problem some techs she had look at it could not figure out.
   Whether or not that is part of the problem in this case, I do not know. Both photos show some evidence of bearing on the felt; I would try using a razor or something between the strings-I just used a screwdriver-to drive down the felt, before de-stringing it, and see if anything happens.
   Good luck,
     - Ben
     


-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jim Busby
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 2:44 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] (no subject)


Hi Alan,

I think you're right. I also think that my felt was too thick and presses too much, furthering the problem. See the attached picture.

I'd like to see a picture of the brass. Please!!

Regards,
Jim



-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Mccoy, Alan
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:44 AM
To: CAUTlist
Subject: Re: [CAUT] M&H "A" stability

Hi Jim,

If it is anything like the BB I rebuilt a couple years ago, it is the extreme counterbearing angles. This BB is from the 70s, you know the ones where the angle is over 30 degrees?!! I ground the plate as much as I could to lower the angle, and in the capo sections to reduce the duplex length.
The piano has always been a bear to tune. Now it is less of a bear, but there is one section still that is exhibiting the symptoms you describe. The upper two capo sections are fine, as are the agraffe sections, but that first capo section, where most pianos have agraffes, is the problem now. I ground that section down as much as I dared (the plate was pretty thick
there) but the angle is still more than I'd like. I put in a brass half-round bearing there to take the load instead of felt, and that helps too. Just needs more help. I go over that section several times each tuning.
I'm hoping one of these days it'll settle down.

I have some before and after pictures at home. If you are interested, I'll send you some.

Alan