[CAUT] damper return noise/una corda

[McCoy, Alan]

I'm pretty convinced that it is the out-of-phase strings that cause this phenomenon. The reason I have become convinced of this is the similar sounds generated from bad unisons in regular position.

For me it is most apparent, and annoying, at the top end of the tenor section when frequently the damper scaling changes from trichord felt in the front (with flat in the back) to all flat felt. My "solution" has been to extend the front trichords a bit farther up the scale. The higher trichords where there is not as much string excusion don't seem to exhibit the same zing on soft release.

I will definitely try Ed's suggestion when I don't have a chance to replace felt as I much prefer to regulate hammer spacing and una corda travel to miss the left string.

Thanks. I wondered if anyone else had observed this problem.

Alan


________________________________
From: Fred Sturm <fssturm at unm.edu>
Reply-To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 21:10:19 -0700
To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [CAUT] damper return noise/una corda

On May 6, 2010, at 8:51 PM, Ed Foote wrote:

Yes,  something that has helped on problem pianos:
  I space the hammers so that on full una corda, the left edge of the hammer is even with the outside edge of the left-hand wire. Then, very lightly, file the left side of the crown so that on una corda, even though all three strings are being struck, the left hand one is only very lightly contacting the hammer.  Just enough so that all strings are vibrating enough to help the wedges seat more rapidly. You get improved seating, and a usable una corda.
Regards,

Ed Foote RPT
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html

That sounds like a good compromise. I'll give it a try.

Regards,
Fred Sturm
fssturm at unm.edu
http://www.createculture.org/profile/FredSturm



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