Hateful little F DAMPER

[Otto Keyes]

Piano Technician
University of Idaho
208-885-7918
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jorgensen, Michael L" <jorge1ml@cmich.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 12:10 PM
Subject: RE: Hateful little F DAMPER


>     The damper guide hole is also almost directly under the right string
which has made it especially challenging.  Vince suggested "moving the
hole".  All other holes in the rail are nicely aligned, the problem is that
F is very close to F# as a unison.  Probably half the usual space between
them.   What is the best way to "move" that hole??


At the risk of messing things up & having to start over (which risk you will
take whatever course of action you choose here),  I would suggest a slight
dog-leg in the wire above the guide rail.  This takes some creative hand
work with 2 damper wire bending tools, but it can be done.  Make a minor
bend above the rail with the damper seated on the string, then lift it.
Stabilize the lower bend with one tool & make a counter bend just above it
to straighten the head, being careful to keep those bends perpendicular to
the string -- not easy to do right next to the strut.  Just be cautious.
You only need to move it a fraction to get it to clear.

Note:  Now all you have to do is reseat the damper perfectly on the string
to get rid of the zing you just put back in.   :)

The other option would be to move the hole slightly by:  (1) elongating
guide rail hole with a rat-tail file, shimming the offending side, &
rebushing; (2)  see note above.  :)

Otto