Bass Damper/Sustain Problem Fix Wrapup

[Gholley237@cs.com]

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       A big thank you to Jon Page, Phil Frankenberg, Roger Jolly, Ron 
Nossaman, Tom Driscoll, Tony Caught and Terry Farrell for contributing 
suggestions to the problem with the bass dampers and sustain pedal in the 
Keller Bros. Upright.
       I called the customer this morning and said I was sure I now had 
suggestions on how to correct the problem and I could return and would do the 
repair at no charge.  
       "Oh please do" and I was there by 11:00 AM., made the adjustments and 
was on my way by 11:30 AM.  With a very satisfied high school piano student.
       
       I will give credit to Jon Page for hitting the nail right on the head. 
 However, with all of the other suggestions made by the afore mentioned 
experts, I felt like I had a full magazine with one in the chamber.  
       
       The primary cause was:
       
       The action bracket bolt nut, at the left bass bracket and at the 
tenor/bass break bracket, was turned in too much on the stud, which held the 
dampers to the strings too firmly in the bass.
    I turned the nuts out, pulled the action brackets away a little bit, and 
as I played C2 I turned the nuts back in and the dampers now being backed off 
the strings the sustain returned to the strings.
    The dampers on A0 through E1 were still just a little too close so I 
regulated the damper wires and those cleaned up just fine.
    I then checked the dampers while pressing the sustain/damper pedal and 
noticed that they all could stand a smidgen more of space. 
    I then checked the damper pedal rod and the pedal lever and noticed that 
laying under the lever on the bottom of the case there was a dowel pin 
bushing laying there, and that there was no bushing at the dowel pin at the 
lever.  I replaced the bushing under the dowel, played a few notes with the 
sustain pedal depressed and now the dampers all lifted away from the strings 
very nicely.

    Following up on other suggestions given for me to look at I checked these 
items:
1)  The action bracket feet were seated properly, in this case the action 
bracket foot straddles a 3/16" steel rod that is secured into the inside of 
the case.
2)  The damper lift rod was secure; the damper rod hooks and hangers were all 
secure.
3)  The action rail was not warped, split or broken.

       I greatly appreciate all of the help on this problem and I can file 
this experience away for the future.
       You technicians are great.

Regards, Gordon Holley
Goshen, IN
Associate, Indiana Chapter 467

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