That Grand Damper "Whing"Sound

[Bob Mishkin]

Wimblees@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 97-04-04 07:05:07 EST, you write:
>
> >I had a person ask me yesterday whether I thought there was much that could
> >be done about that sound grand dampers make when the sustain pedal
> >is depressed and they are lifting off the strings.  He had noticed that it
> >was often less in older pianos than in newer ones.  I told him that it was
> >being made when the bichord and trichord felts were being pulled from
> >between the strings, and the sound was caused by this rubbing, then the
> >strings having no damping action, were continuing to vibrate, causing
> >this noise.  I agreed that older pianos did it less, but it was because the
> >felts were wearing out, and consequently, the damping action was less, too.
> >We were obviously talking in generalities, as opposed to a specific piano,
> >or specific instance.  He wished there were some way to lessen this noise
> >without lessening the damping action.  Comments?
> >
> >Arnold Schmidt, Raleigh, NC
>
> Arnold:
>
> When damper felts are first cut, they are rough. In the factory they do not
> take the time to smooth them out. Therefore, although it does take time, the
> best way to solve this problem is to remove each damper and sand the sides of
> the felt. This will eliminate a lot of the noise.
>
> Willem Blees RPT
> St. Louis
>