Damper "shooshing" noise

[Thomas Sheehan]

Brush the dampers lightly with Dupont microfine Teflon powder, available
from Bill Spurlock. Application is done from below the strings, with the
action removed. Use a small paintbrush (soft) about 1 inch wide. Shake the
powder out into a small plate or container, and dip the tips of the bristles
into the powder. It will cut the noise dramatically, and will last for a
good long time (6 months or so).

Tom Sheehan
NYC Chapter

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeannie Grassi <jgrassi@silverlink.net>
To: 'Pianotech' <pianotech@ptg.org>; 'CAUT' <CAUT@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 1999 11:16 AM
Subject: Damper "shooshing" noise


> Dear List,
> Even though this topic has been covered before, your answers to the
question
> following might prove helpful for Journal readers.  Any new or repeated
> information for Rand on this topic is appreciated.  Thanks, as always, for
> your help.
>
> Jeannie Grassi, RPT
> Assistant Editor, Piano Technicians Journal
> mailto:jgrassi@silverlink.net
>
> from Rand Reeves:
>
> A local recording studio called me in to look at a problem they've been
> having with a Kawai GS-40 with excessive damper noise when the pedal is
> engaged.  I of course checked for all other noise sources, but the only
> sounds I hear are that "Shooshing" noise as the dampers lift as a unit.
> They
> are lifting evenly, and seem to be regulated well.  This is a sensitive
> situation, of course, since they put mikes right up against the strings
for
> recording.  I do not feel this would be an issue in a home situation, or
> even
> a normal concert situation.  However, I do feel that the dampers are a bit
> noisier than normal.
>     Is the problem with the grain of the damper felt?  I assume that most
of
> the noise is coming from the trichords and bichords, but it's hard to tell
> exactly.  Perhaps just brushing the damper felts and re-regulating them.
Or
> maybe I need to replace them all?
>     I would appreciate it if I could hear from someone who has addressed
> this
> problem in a very nit-picky sound recording studio situation.  It's
driving
> them crazy.
>
>                         Thanks,
>
>                         Rand Reeves
>                         Ballston Spa, NY (Albany)
>
>
>
>