Damper Whoosh! The fix is in.

[TunerJeff@aol.com]

Dear Les &  List,

     The whooshing dampers were described by Brian DeTar in the October '95
Journal. I'm gonna let my digits jam this into the computer, as it covers the
question quite well.
I quote (...mostly);

    "...and then you hear it----WHOOOSSSSSH!---- as the dampers lift from the
strings."

    << There is a portion of the bichord and trichord damper felt that is
protruding from the strings. As the dampers lift off the strings, the fibers
of the 'extra' damper felt scrape the strings, much the same as plucking
them with a soft pick.>>

    <<Fortunately the solution is quite simple as well. Using a pair of
barber shears (Solingen Shears #3976, about $60.00 at a beauty supply
store--or ask your hair stylist), remove each damper and cut the excess felt
off... the trick is to cut EXACTLY at the bottom of the string line.. The
closer you trim the felt to the string line, the more of the "whoosh" you
will eliminate. Be careful here, as you don't want to remove any felt ABOVE
the string line (...or dampers will bleed).
     After you have cut off the excess felt, use the scissors to round off
the sharp square edge left by the scissors. (Jeff adds- Brian demonstrated
this at a tech-session. Basically it's a second THIN cut to smooth & round the
edges, at an angle to the flat-edge left by the shears. The shears can cut
the damper-felt ONE fiber at-a-time. DON'T remove more depth... but smooth
the corner. This technique has worked for me on troublesome dampers. Thanks
Brian.)>>

In a nutshell; (2 or 3 hours depending on number.)
1. Turn damper adjusting screw up. Until the dampers just start to lift.
2. Loosen the screws of the dampers you are going to trim.
3. Trim the dampers, one at a time, and return to damper-lever.
4. When trimming is complete, finger tighten the damper screws.
5. Check for twist and lift.
6. Lightly tighten the screws with screwdriver.
7. Re-check for even lift & twist.
8. Final tightening (not too tight, just snug) & check again.

                    ...and enjoy REALLY quiet damper lift.

   <<<Brian also adds; .... the "Thump" heard by (yes, I'll say it) bad
pedaling (usually, but not always), try changing the front/back angle of the
damper so that the back of the damper comes in contact with the string VERY
slightly before the front of the damper. The caveat here is not to create a
"zing!". Keep changing the angle until you get the desired effect.
It won't take much!>>>

(((END QUOTE of October '95 Piano Technicians Guild "Journal")))

List-Folks,
    Not everyone on this techlist is a PTG member, so I went to the trouble
of typing this in. Hope folks aren't upset by the editing job (...those that
are PTG types can grab the Journal for the complete "Tips, Tools &
Techniques" section this was in. ) There ARE benefits to being a Guild
member, eh?

Sincerely,
Jeffrey T. Hickey, RPT

_____________________________________
Avery Todd, RPT
Moores School of Music
University of Houston
713-743-3226
atodd@uh.edu
http://www.uh.edu/music/
_____________________________________