[pianotech] singing sustain, what to do?

[David Ilvedson]

Very slow operation of the pedal?   What does that mean?   Off hand it sounds like another reason to be looking at too much friction somewhere...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Mike Spalding" <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/31/2009 9:14:58 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] singing sustain, what to do?


>Paul,

>Not sure if there will be follow-up activity on this or not.  This 
>happened yesterday during a tuning / service visit, and I didn't have 
>time to do any more than what I did.  I told the owner what it might 
>cost to have me return and continue to troubleshoot, and that I would 
>ask pianotech and other sources for ideas.  I've gotten some good 
>suggestions for troubleshooting, but  we haven't uncovered any other 
>techs who have actually experienced this noise.   Since it's only an 
>issue on verrrry slowww operation of the pedal, she may not want to 
>invest in more exploration.  But if anything does happen, I'll update y'all.

>Mike

>Paul T Williams wrote:
>>
>> I was just trying to fix with the easiest method first.  Ron's idea 
>> with the newspaper sound like a good one!
>>
>> Any luck yet?
>> Paul
>>
>>
>>
>> *Mike Spalding <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net>*
>> Sent by: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
>>
>> 01/30/2009 06:43 PM
>> Please respond to
>> pianotech at ptg.org
>>
>>
>> 	
>> To
>> 	pianotech at ptg.org
>> cc
>> 	
>> Subject
>> 	Re: [pianotech] singing sustain, what to do?
>>
>>
>>
>> 	
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Paul,
>>
>> I already did lube the tray pivot centers and the pitman/tray contact,
>> even though I was fairly sure they weren't responsible, but since I had
>> them out and accessible anyway, why not.  Mclube or Goose for the
>> contact points of wooden underlevers and soft felt damper tray?  Without
>> considering surface roughness of wooden underlevers?
>>
>> Paul T Williams wrote:
>> >
>> > Try some McLube or Goose Juice at the contact points. that should
>> > clear up the noise. Also check the bushings.. lube those as
>> > well....and the pitman/tray contact point!
>> >
>> > Paul'
>> >
>> >
>> > *Mike Spalding <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net>*
>> > Sent by: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
>> >
>> > 01/30/2009 05:28 PM
>> > Please respond to
>> > pianotech at ptg.org
>> >
>> >
>> >                  
>> > To
>> >                  Pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
>> > cc
>> >                  
>> > Subject
>> >                  [pianotech] singing sustain, what to do?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >                  
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Relatively new small Essex grand.  When the sustain pedal is operated
>> > very slowly, it makes a moaning noise.  Removed the action, removed the
>> > pitman, and raised the tray by hand, heard the noise.  Here's what I
>> > think is causing it:  the lift tray is aluminum, the felt is soft and
>> > thick, and the tray pivot is nowhere near the underlever centers.  So
>> > when the tray is lifted, the underlevers slide on the felt, playing the
>> > aluminum tray like a violin.  What to do?  My inclination would be to
>> > replace the tray felt with something harder/smoother, and polish the
>> > undersides of all the underlevers with 400 grit sandpaper or finer.  But
>> > before going to all that trouble, I thought I would toss the question
>> > out to the list, and see if anyone else has encountered this, and what
>> > you did to fix it.  Any thoughts?
>> >
>> > thanks
>> >
>> > Mike Spalding
>> >
>> >
>>
>>