damper underlever springs

[A440A@aol.com]

 Avery Todd  writes;

 about damper underlever
helper springs on the Steinway 'L'.

> I'll be starting the job next week and
>your suggestions are going to be a BIG help. She is a teacher as well as a
>pianist,.......
Avery,

     Another  something  to consider:  you may have this teacher for years,
and replace dampers again in the future, or at least regulate them several
times during their service life.
     Ease of regulation is greatly increased if there is no drag from the
wires in the   posts.  A drill bit about .002" bigger than the wire, used in
a pinvise, will clean the wire path through post holes and sockets, (make
sure the screws are out enough!),    It takes about 4 minutes, but pays off
big time in easier regulation.

Now,  a question;

        Does anybody on the list routinely find damper wires in new pianos
often pressing quite hard on one side or other  of the guide felt ?  I have
seen some fairly new pianos go from looking fine at first, to where the
dampers looking like a swarm of maggots after a year or two.  I find the
worst ones are still trying to abrade  their way through the bushing, felts
all leaning over, and zinging to high heaven.

Thoughts?

Ed Foote
Precision Piano Works
Nashville, Tn