Slow key mystery ....

[pmc033 at earthlink.net]

Hi Alan:
    Did you determine if the wippen flange was stuck?  It often causes the key not to return quickly.  Unfortunately, if this is the case, you won't be able to determine this unless you take out the action and check it.  I vote for the iffy weights.  Good luck.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Alan Barnard 
To: Pianotech
Sent: 05/11/2006 5:43:32 PM 
Subject: Slow key mystery ....


First visit, new customer, Baldwin Howard spinet.

Customer complains that F2 "sticks". Sure enough, it is very slow to return. Lift sticker off the key end and the action seems lively enough. No problem with keyslip. Look at back of key and, guess what, someone else tried to fix this key: It had a jiffy lead nailed to the back.

I removed the lead, so I could make a propper repair, for heaven's sake! I eased the key a bit and then it would return just as fast as its neighbors. Done ... or so I thought.

Tuned and was playing the piano when I noticed F2 "sticking". Further experiments revealed that it only happened when I depressed the sustain pedal. Hmmmm....

Tried holding the damper off the string with a hook (no pedal pressed) and the slow return was still evident. Hmmmmm....

I could not, offhand, think how the damper, damper arm or spring, would affect key return like this. I was out of time, running late actually, so I had to come up with something quick.

Simple. I nailed the jiffy lead back in place. Works great.

All I can think is that maybe the felt is worn and the spoon is snagging on it, or something. And I do want to fix it properly next time.

Any ideas, oh wise and knowing List?

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri
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