Square grand problem

[D.L. Bullock]

The problem you describe is standard with many squares.  Lifting or even
removing the damper tray on top, will not affect it.  The situation is the
dampers are lifted with a rod that rests on a felt pad.  It has made an
indention into the felt and the felt punching at the top of the rod has
packed thinner over 130 years or moths have eaten it, so it goes down lower.
When the action is returned to the piano the rods are all pushed back by the
unpacked felt oval on the key and are not in their felt dent.  When you push
the key a couple of times, it allows the rod to center itself into the
packed spot in that felt oval on the key.  It would be best when you push
the action back in to lift all the rods up an inch and let them drop
straight down.  It would be ideal to have them all propped up, push the
action in and then take out the props.  There would be no push on the rods
as they will bend and that causes sticking dampers.

When you regulate a square grand it is best to do it without the damper tray
and with the rods pulled up and held or simply removed.  But keep them in
order by all means.  When you regulate a square you spend DAYS doing the in,
then out, then in, then out with the action.  On some you have to make the
hammers dodge the metal supports at the breaks.

When you replace the cotton loops in the jacks, you will probably break some
of the springs they are often crispy.  I always replace them as well.  We
make them with a jig and .010" brass harpsichord wire.

D.L. Bullock
www.thepianoworld.com
St. Louis