>To: pianotech@ptg.org >From: Roger Jolly <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca> >Subject: Re:Vertical Dampers and touch > >Greetings to All, > With your indulgence, I would like to ramble with some thoughts on dampers and heavy playing verticals. >Assuming a touch weight analysis has been done, with results, DW 54gr range, UW 21gm range. The customer is complaining of heavy or spongy feel. > >Several things that I like to check in order. > >1. Hammer blow distance. 1 3/4" for most consols. if the hammers have been reshaped and the blow distance not corrected, more dip is required to get the proper after touch, the increase in key movement will increase the damper travel. > >2. Damper rod, for even lift. Adjust the hangers to get an even lift bass to treble, the bushing above the trap work rod is the first to give trouble. Rebush as required. > >3. Bend any slow lifting damper wires. after this, all dampers should lift off the strings evenly. > >4. Check damper follow, and spoon timing. Often these can be interactive. If the damper is lifting immediately, there will be no follow. Set the spoons so that the dampers just start to move after the hammer has travelled 1"-1 1/8". Follow is essential for good damping, about 1/8" is about right for most consols. Too much can give a heavy feel. Too little can lead to bleeding dampers. > >5. Depth of touch, front rail punchings, and the butt spring rail location. Many of the cheaper consols use very soft and spongy FR punchings, this can give a spongy feel ( heaviness ) to a good player, A trick that I use to firm these up, is to iron them with a clothes iron. Once I have nice clean after touch, I check to make sure there is adaquate clearance from the damper wire and the butt spring rail, when depressing the key firmly to the bottom, the wire should NOT touch the felt on the rail. > >In the majority of cases this check list solves the problem. > >Regards Roger > > > > > >At 11:30 PM 24/01/99 -0600, you wrote: >>Hi Sandman, >> At 69gms down weight with dampers off, it is best to >>solve this problem before. messing with damper springs. I have seen too >>many pianos messed up by some one stabing >>in the dark. In this case a touch weight analysis has been done, and >>points to either friction or geometry. IMHO. >>Regards Roger >> > > > Roger Jolly Baldwin Yamaha Piano Centre Saskatoon and Regina Saskatchewan, Canada. 306-665-0213 Fax 652-0505
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