triming dampers

[Les Smith]

Hi, Don. I must admit that I don't remember Brian's post, but I agree with
Avery that you're probably going to have to pull the dampers in order to
trim them. You can probably use a really sharp, high-quality pair of
scissors or shears, or a sharp felt-cutting knife to do the actual trim-
ming. Having to trim ALL of them, this isn't going to be a fun job, es-
pecially since you have to contend with the extra depth of the case as
this was originally a Duo-Art reproducing player. For that reason, if you
resort to some "colorful" language while doing this job, we'll all under-
stand. Forgive ne for stating the obvious, but assuming that the dampers
are lifting at the right time, you might also want to check the key dip--
something I assume you've probably already done.

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net


On Tue, 20 Aug 1996, Avery Todd wrote:

> Don,
>    Back several months ago, Brian DeTar had a post about doing this.
> Although I can't remember whether or not he removed the dampers, I probably
> would. If I remember correctly, he suggested using the string lines on the
> felt as a guide and trimming the felt "just" below that. If the dampers are
> already lifting when you want them to, trimming is about the only
> correction I can see, except replacing them with felt that doesn't have
> such a deep cut and/or a "fatter" felt for the bichords.
>    Maybe Brian will see this and post back.
>
> Avery
>
> >Hi all,
> >
> >I have come across a reproducing Steinway grand with damper problems. The
> >>reproducer is ancient history (gone). The dampers are working well, in
> >fact too >well as the wedges are preventing the strings from vibrating
> >freely. I am >looking for a way to cut the wedges off so they will clear
> >the strings. Damper >lift is a normal amount. The instrument has wedge
> >dampers all the way through. >I tried searching the archives--lots of
> >discussions about leaking and bleeding >but not much on cutting felt.
> >
> >Is there a good way to do this?
> >
> >Is there a good way to do it without removing the dampers from the piano
> >(i.e. trim just the bottoms off)?
>
> >Don Rose. RPT
>
> _____________________________________
> Avery Todd, RPT
> Moores School of Music
> University of Houston
> Houston, TX 77204-4893
> 713-743-3226
> atodd@uh.edu
> _____________________________________
>
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