Key level puzzle

[Michael Jorgensen]

Hi Gary,
    EEEK! Are you telling us that the bottoms of the keys are above the
keyslip?  Is the balance rail pushed up by something?  Has the
case/keybed structure shifted drastically down somehow on its outward
end with respect to the rest of the piano?   Assuming the action
position is correct and if no obvious shift or brokeness is visible,
check the angle of the key with respect to the action comparing it with
the good end inorder to insure whether the problem is key dip or key
height.
Just some thoughts.
-Mike Jorgensen RPT



Gary and Jean Isaac wrote:
> 
> One of the pianos I service at a Teachers College is a Dietmann upright
> bought new in 1990.  When I  serviced it six months ago it was in good
> contion, but now it has a problem that perplexes me.
> 
> Starting from F3 up to the top the front of the key level progressively
> rises until it measures a 1/2" gap above the front board.  The keys  are
> so far off the front rail that the top key will even play when I put my
> key level block under it.   Everything else sees to be in adjustment.
> Capstan heights are regular throughout.  Balance rail punchings are the
> same throughout.  The back rail  cloth is okay.  Action brackets on both
> ends are the same height. The keys are so high off the front rail that
> they can even move out of the slots when playing.  When the fall board is
> replaced the high treble keys are blocked so that they only way to render
> them playable is to shim up the fall board on the treble side.  Adding
> height to the back rail cloth brings the level down of course,  but then
> the capstans would have to be radically altered.
> 
> The music instructor in charge of the pianos says that he suspects the
> piano may have been dropped when being moved upstairs.  However, I cannot
> see any signs of damage.
> 
> Gary Isaac
> South Africa