Silent Series and QT

[Larry Fisher]

>>Silent Series pianos stop the hammer at 10mm from the string (let off) with
>>or without the silent feature engaged.  QT is 3-5mm.
>
>- -- This was true but it isn't anymore.

Yo, Yamaha .....  have you changed your Silent Series specs??  Last I saw
and heard, the let on SS pianos was 10 mm.  Has this been changed??
>
>>Silent Series pianos offer one voice unless you add a tone module.  The one
>>voice is a very nice sounding piano (synthesized).  QT offers 127 standard
>
>- -- This very nice synthesized piano voice is just what my customer wants,
>nothing more!
>
>My message was also picked up by a big dutch firm who phoned me this
>morning, and told me about other options.
>
>

Tell us more.  Gulbransen??

Ron writes:

>>From a mechanical standpoint alone, I like the Yamaha system better. At a
>dealer's request, I spent about an hour trying to figure out how to regulate
>a QuietTime installation after the installer gave it his best shot.
>Eventually, I gave up too. There just wasn't room in the action for the
>mechanism. The rotating bar that blocks the hammer shanks is nearly as thick
>as it is wide. Disengaged, it would clear either the shanks, or the damper
>head screws... but not both. By adjusting brackets, I could get it to clear
>everywhere but the extreme bass, but there was absolutely no margin for
>error. The Yamaha has more clearance, and looks more maintainable. My
>observation, hope this helps.
>
It sounds like this QT was not installed properly.  What kind of piano was
it??  make and model??

I've never had a clearance problem with any of the QT's I've installed.  I'm
beginning to wonder if some installers are installing the bars 180 degrees
off .......  engaged, the L is pointed up, disengaged it points towards the
dampers, the cushion faces downward.  Any damper head screws that hit the
bar are supposed to be replaced with smaller profile screws provided by MSR.
I've never had this problem, but then I don't install them according to the
write up ..... if I do, the bar hits the damper screws and there isn't
enough room for clearance ........ funny thing!!  

I install the bar with the L pointing up when engaged.  When disengaged the
cushion faces the underside of the hammers, the L points towards the
strings.  This leaves tons of room for the damper screws and puts the
stopping cushion at about 3/4" below the hammer.  Each installation has been
a challenge, but each one left my shop pleasing the customer in every way.
No clicking, knocking, or complaints.  It's a goal that's a real challenge
to meet, but my point is that it is possible.

MSR didn't intend for the product to perform poorly.  There's plenty of
installers that aren't going to get it right ...... just like any other
product.  I'd suggest you call them to get the scoop on why your particular
installation isn't performing properly.

lar

 

                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water