Need Some Input

[Avery Todd]

Mike (and others),

That's what Aubrey Willis told me almost 40 years ago. If a note has a
problem, you have 87 others to compare it to to figure out what the problem
is!

Avery Todd

On Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM, Michael Magness <IFixPianos at yahoo.com>
wrote:

>
>
> On Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 9:19 PM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>
> wrote:
>
>> I was working on my piano this evening, and I noticed two problems, and I
>> wanted to get some input before I proceed.
>>
>> 1.  When I play one particular note, I hear a clicking sound.  It is from
>> the action, not the key.  I believe it is the jack rubbing against the
>> underside of the butt, and the buckskin in worn off.  When I pull the jack
>> back with my screwdriver and release it, it does make the same kind of
>> sound.  And when I press down on the key, wait a few seconds, then release
>> it, I hear it too.
>>
>> 2.  On a few notes I hear what sounds like a faint squeak.  I believe it
>> may the front rail pin rubbing on worn bushing cloth underneath.
>>
>>
>> Matthew
>>
>
> Hi Matthew,
>
> I believe you've had some excellent advise on the hammer butt issue so I
> won't bore you with more, just suggest checking the catcher for tightness as
> well. I have seen them come unglued and click as you describe, either the
> catcher itself or the dowel that is glued into the hammer butt.
>
> As for the squeak, I agree with those who say it is probably not the front
> rail pin but most probably the center rail pin with one caveat.
> Try playing the same notes with the sustain pedal fully depressed and see
> if the squeak is still there, if it is then address it at the key.
> If not check the damper spring slots on the damper lever, they were
> originally coated with a dag-type substance which has probably worn through.
> My favorite fix for this is a number 2 pencil nicely sharpened, use it to
> "color in" the area where the spring rubs against the slot in the damper
> lever.
>
> This is an "old school" fix that doesn't come out of a spray bottle or
> aerosol can but it lasts longer, doesn't "gunk up" the action and it works.
>
> If the problem is at the key, teflon powder will quiet it for the moment
> but teflon powder isn't forever and will wear/migrate away in time. I am not
> a fan of Protek for action/key problems because it masks the real problem
> which eventually will re-appear. I prefer to assess the problem and if the
> customer is willing repair it in the apropriate fashion.
> If your keybushings are squeaking it means one of 3 things, the wrong glue
> or too much of it was used, the wrong felt was used, the felt has worn
> through to the glue.
> Based on your description of the clicking hammer butt buckskin, my bet
> would be the wear, which means your keys, at least the balance rail, are due
> for rebushing.
>
> Tom Driscoll gave you some excellent advice, the wording is different but
> it's what I tell the newbies I work with. When you are in a customer's home,
> you are the expert which means you have to figure it out, you have
> everything you need at your disposal. If it's a key problem, there are 87
> comparisons to make. Start with plan A and as you are implenting it, figure
> out plan B, just in case, if you need plan B, figure out plan C and so on.
> I've gotten to plan F a few times.
>
> <grin>
>
> Mike
>
> --
> I feel sorry for the person who can't get genuinely excited about his work.
> Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything
> worthwhile.
> Walter Chrysler
>
>
>
> Michael Magness
> Magness Piano Service
> 608-786-4404
> www.IFixPianos.com <http://www.ifixpianos.com/>
> email mike at ifixpianos.com
>
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