Bass Dampers

[Roger Jolly]

Hi John,
             Since you are having this type of problem, I am assuming that
you have the Renner tri-dampers from pianophile. They are also thicker than
the old one's. I'll try and explain how I install they with great results.

1.  Remove the bass dampers from the piano.
2.  Tear off the felt.
3.  Split off the shoes with a pair of wire cutters. Two cuts both snug to
the outside of the dowel with the grain. Most just fall off.
4.  Soak the ends of the dowels to remove ALL excess glue.
5.  Reinstall action and dry fit several dampers including the end one's,
to check for clearance and timing. On the dry fit, you should make sure
that the dowel is sitting in the centre of the green hinge pad, and is
aligned to the centre of the strings.
6.  If you need more clearance. Move the dowels down the damper wire about
1/8".
7.  Bend the damper wire at the end of the damper lever so that the dowel
head centre's the strings.
8.  Dry fit the damper, to check position and clearance.
9.  Bend the damper wire fore or aft to regulate damper timing with the
treble dampers. (Pedal lift rod check.) Check the lifter rod bushings to
make sure  the bushing closest to the rod is not badly worn, or otherwise
you can have other regulation problems.
10. Place action in cradle and prop open the damper lift rod. Wrap a piece
of cotton around the two end dowel screws, ensure it is taut. ( another use
for Jon's taut line.) Bend the damper wires to ensure even lift. Clip off
excess damper wires.
11. Reinstall action.
12. I use white glue to glue the end of the dowel to the hinge pad. One
generous dab so the glue forms a collar around the dowel. The glue does not
wick into the hinge pad too deeply and it stays fairly pliable, allowing
the damper to flex properly. One of the very few jobs that I feel that this
type of glue is superior.
13. Regulate the spoon timing. 

John, I only use Renner or Yamaha U3 dampers for all my older type upright
rebuilds. In my opinion the pianos are greatly improved from the original
manufacture.

Hope this helps
Give my regards to John Hudson.
Roger 


At 04:36 PM 16/06/99 -0300, you wrote:
>Hi List,
>I have a two questions, re Bass damper replacement.
>The felt portion, that is attached to the back of the damper, that is
>glued to the block, is in a different position, than the origional.
>Is there any easy way to remove it, and reposition it?
>I realize I would not have this problem, if I made them from scratch,
>like Bill Spurlock.
>I keep on meaning too, but keep on buying the made up ones from the
>supply houses.
>On the one I am doing now, the felt attachment portion is twice as big
>as the replacement ones, will this make a difference? It is the same
>size as the block.
>Thanking you all in advance.
>Regards,
>John M.Ross
>Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.
> 
Roger Jolly
Baldwin Yamaha Piano Centre
Saskatoon and Regina
Saskatchewan, Canada.
306-665-0213
Fax 652-0505