R: Una corda and dampers

[Luigi Lamacchia]

This is a well (?) known problem, at least in Hamburg factory. It's not
possible to solve ! (?)
It depends from horizontal polarization of the string vibration, which is
much stronger if you play with the una corda engaged. So, if the strings
vibrates horizontally, the dampers makes "zzziiing"...
The only thing I can suggest and which can help a little, in my experience,
is to regulate the una corda so that 2 and 1/2 strings are stroken, maybe 3.
Try to compensate with needles, in order to get an una corda sound softer.
The optimum, in my opinion, is to have all hammers spaced so that when you
engage una corda, the strings on the hammer fall exactly between the signs
(made by playing in the normal position) AND, in the same time, touch 2 and
1/2 strings. Try to help yourself with some graphite on the strings, to make
checks.
Hope it helps.

Luigi Lamacchia
www.inmedia.it/lamacchia


>Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 08:26:12 -0500
>From: Victor Belanger <vbela@MIT.EDU>
>Subject: Una corda and dampers
>
>Hello to all,
> I have a question regarding dampers. I have a "D" that I'm working
>on, and would like to know if someone could explain this symptom. The
>dampers work fine just the way they are, except when I engage the una
>corda. There is now a delayed damping effect. Kind of like a "zzzing" after
>effect.
> Could it be that the dampers have a particular shape, and with
>vibrating only two strings it can't handle that? Is it time to change the
>felts? Regulation wise, all seems ok. Any suggestion would be of great
help.
>I thank you in advance.
>Regards.
>Victor Belanger
>
>------------------------------