I picked up a Knabe grand action yesterday for a quick turn-around -- must be back in the church before Sunday. Among -many- other things (typical Aeolian of this vintage), the key end felt -- damper lift felt if you prefer -- is shot. My inventory has several packs of "so-called" key end felt from Schaff. It's iridescent blue, too thin, and compresses too easily. When I complained to Schaff, they told me I should have ordered 'Steinway-style' key end felt, although it wasn't listed in the catalog. This is the firm, red (the way God intended) stuff with good resilience that looks like bellyman felt. So, I kept the blue stuff to avoid the paper shuffle, and ordered the Steinway type. It's too thick. The question. Should I try to skive the S&S type narrower/thinner; create a sandwich (or shim) the blue stuff; or... ? Normally I wouldn't care, I would (and ultimately will) make allowances at the piano. However, I'm not looking for damper 'make-work' when I'm on a limited time schedule. Jim Harvey, RPT - who's never seen iridescent blue felt anywhere in a piano PS: the backcheck heads are swiveling on the wires, and CA isn't working...? PPS: the capstans are too loose, and CA -is- working, but not very neatly.
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