Mysterious Buzzing

[Carl Teplitski]

Some time ago, the Yamaha teaching school owner in my area called and asked
me if I could look at a studio piano which the teachers had been complaining
about.
Apparently there was a buzz when some notes were played. I actually couldn't
reproduce
the effect, so the owner came in and finally made it buzz. Well, while he was
there, I tried
the normal chechs to isolate the noise, to no avail. When he left, I continued
and finally
decided that the problem had to be in the keybed. Started to take some keys out,

and spotted a womans hairpin laying in the keybed, in some dust and lint. Sure
enough,
when I held the pin tight, the noise stopped. I called the owner in to see this,
because
I think it's good for nontechnical people to see that these are problems which
can occur,
and can be very difficult to find, because most people don't appreciate the
situation.
Took all the keys out and vacummed. Problem solved, but for a couple of weeks he

brought it up whenever there was a problem of anykind. ( in jest, of course ). A
good man,
and appreciated what happened.

Carl / Winnipeg

Jim Kinnear wrote:

> Patrick
> Had  the same annoying problem .. . eventually found a kid's glass marble,
> wedged between the soundboard and the rear bottom frame . . . only buzzed
> for Ab . . .
> took an hour to locate with the owner pounding the key and me crawling
> around on my hands and knees with my head in the piano at her feet . .
> wasn't a pretty picture . .
>
> I'm sure she wondered if I was some kind of nut . . . till I showed her the
> marble !!
> patience & persistance got a whole new meaning !!
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Jim Kinnear
> www.kinnearpiano.com
> Collingwood, ON, Canada
>
> The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress
>   -- Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) French Philosopher
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Driscoll" <tomtuner@comcast.net>
> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 7:07 PM
> Subject: Re: Mysterious Buzzing
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Patrick C. Poulson" <pcpoulso@pacbell.net>
> > Subject: Mysterious Buzzing
> >
> >
> > > Hello All: I need some help in tracing down a buzz in a Vose upright
> > piano.
> > > The buzz in question shows up while playing F5, whichi is two notes down
> > > from the strut. I have done all the usual tests and corrections that I
> > > usuall rely on, such as looking for cracks in the sound board, pressing
> on
> > > ribs in search of loose glue joints, reseating the strings, smoothing
> down
> > > the V-bar, cleaning up the notching, and cursing under my breath. We
> also
> > > vacuumed out the cabinet inside and out. Any ideas? Thanks,
> > > Patrick C. Poulson
> > >
> >
> >  Patrick,
> >     No , Can't help you.
> >
> >
> >
> >     Seriously,We've all been there---What can help is to have someone
> > generate the buzz whilst you crawl up ,under,over ,behind and around this
> > thing.Locating where the buzz is loudest can be a good start.For example
> if
> > its louder at the top in front one would look to pressure bar etc as
> opposed
> > to louder behind the soundboard at the edge would direct you to the
> > soundboard-rim connection.
> >     I'm not inferring that either of these is your problem ,but narrowing
> > down location is a good start.
> >     If you can isolate this buzz to one unison and further to one string,
> > sometimes replacing the string can eliminate the buzz,
> >     I know its not very conclusive as to the cause,but it will sometimes
> > work.
> >     Tom Driscoll RPT
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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