thumping dampers

[William R. Monroe]

Hi Rick,

After hearing a couple other responses, I'd think strongly toward the
underlever leads.  Depends on the whump.  The more I think of it, the more
I'm leaning toward this with my own Yammy.  My memory allows things to creep
back inside sometimes, and for me at least, I'm starting to feel that this
Yamaha doesn't create the same whump that I had on a Mason BB (which new
felts cured).

What's more, even with cutting the lift, there will be passages where the
damper pedal needs to be released rather quickly, and, even with good pedal
technique, a quick release is probably still going to give you a whump even
though the lift distance is lessened.  Though, it IS a pretty quick and easy
thing to do.  If it works, great, if not, no big investment and you can look
at the other options at that time.

I'd be interested to know what you do find here.

Best,
William R. Monroe


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <richard.ucci@att.net>
To: "An open list for piano technicians" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:07 PM
Subject: Re: thumping dampers


> Thanks Bill,
> I don't think changing out the damper felts is an option. The dealer won't
spring for it , and I doubt that Yamaha will either, and the client surely
wont.  I think I'm going to go for cutting down the lift .
>
> Thanks,
> RU/UP
>
> -------------- Original message from "William R. Monroe"
<pianotech@a440piano.net>: -------------- 
>
>
> > Well, Rick,
> >
> > I must say I would be inclined to concur with the pedal being
excessively
> > "thumpy." I just serviced a Yamaha C1 today. The thump of the dampers
was
> > really quite bothersome. No amount of limiting the damper travel would
do
> > anything here. The felts are in quite good condition, but are a bit
firmer
> > than I usually see.
> >
> > My gut is that to make the thumping end, you'll need new (different)
damper
> > felts. In my case, it is definitely the damper felts creating the noise,
> > but I would check to see what kind of shape the felts in the pedal box
are
> > in and how absorbent they are. I often find poor felts in the pedal box
can
> > contribute to that thumping noise.
> >
> > Hope you are able to remedy the problem.
> >
> > Regards,
> > William R. Monroe
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Horace Greeley"
> > To: "An open list for piano technicians"
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:31 PM
> > Subject: Re: thumping dampers
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Rick,
> > >
> > > Putting aside for the moment the "why bother?" that immediately
> > > springs to mind when recording with an instrument like this is
> > > mentioned, I generally agree with Dale. Nothing is going to stop
> > > noise from the assembly when the foot is simply lifted quickly off the
> > pedal.
> > >
> > > What you might also find helpful is to replace some/most of the
> > > harder felt and leather stop-blocks in the damper mechanism. It
> > > won't fix the whole problem - and - it definitely means that you will
> > > be revisiting the instrument to replace the softer material which
> > > wears out much more quickly, it might help.
> > >
> > > Hope there is something of value for you here.
> > >
> > > Best.
> > >
> > > Horace
> > >
> > >
> > > At 06:12 PM 1/11/2006, you wrote:
> > > > Ahh yes but it could be his pedaling technique. I've seen some
> > > > fine pianist with horrible pedal technique. They can make a
> > > > nominally set of of quit dampers start to sound like a bass drum
> > > > specially on a Steinway..which they're not used to. He probably
> > > > doesn't need a spring surgery but quite possibly his technique
> > > > needs attention....... JMO
> > > >
> > > > Dale
> > > >Hi Listers,
> > > >
> > > >Client with a new Yamaha ga-1 is complaining that the dampers make a
> > > >thumping noise when his foot is taken off the sustain pedal. He is
> > > >doing some recording and it is very noticable to him. Other than
> > > >changing the spring to one with less tension , what would be a
> > > >solution to his problem?
> > > >
> > > >Thanks,
> > > >Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > > Horace Greeley
> > > Systems Group
> > > Controller's Office
> > > Stanford University
> > >
> > > 651 Serra St., RM 100
> > > Stanford, CA 94305
> > >
> > > voice: 650.725.9062
> > > fax: 650.725.8014
> > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
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