Mathushek

[Paul Chick (EarthLink)]

Hello Square Grand Techs and curious lurkers:

I pulled the action on a Mathushek "Orchestral" Square grand (serial #
11383) to find several jacks with torn spring chords.  The customer wishes
to have all of them replaced.  That's not the problem. When I slid the
action back in th piano, each key was tight when depressed.  The action was
pulled again and inspected as well as the action cavity and damper action.
Everything seemed right. I pushed the action in again this time depressing
the damper pedal.  The same thing happened.  Hmmm.  I tried depressing one
key all the way.  It returned and then felt fine.  Nothing could be seen to
cause the problem, yet each key felt tight until depressed once, then fine.
What did I miss? BTW the action is quite interesting: no wippens, just the
jacks mounted to a rocker capstan attached to the key.  The let off buttons
are through the hammer rest rail, back checks are very short and on the key.
Action feels smooth and controllable inspite of age and wear.  It was
originally shipped to Houston Texas by covered wagon.  They acquired it from
a grandson.  It's in beautiful condition.
Any guesses on the keys?

Thanks.

Paul Chick