Help on repairs!!

[Graeme Harvey]

Hello J Smith,

Check the jack birdseyes as I have seen a similar problem with non-returning
jacks, but on a Yamaha spinet. Took a while to trace the problem, but
eventually the problem was traced to the birdseyes on the jack. Must have
swollen slightly in our higher humidity, with the result being slightly
tight in the jack flange.
This may not be your problem but sometimes a small unrelated clue can lead
straight to the source of the dilemma.
Best of luck,

Graeme Harvey
New Plymouth NZ.

PS. Best wishes to everyone on the list for the New Year, Century, Millenium
(still under some debate).
Regardless, we in New Zealand will get to experience this first for what
it's worth.
Perhaps I should go out and tune a piano at midnight to claim the
distinction for first piano tuning of the new Millenium, however I don't
think my neighbours would appreciate me too much.


----- Original Message -----
From: <JSmith3109@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 1999 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: Help on repairs!!


> Dear list:
>
> The piano is a Cable-Nelson Ser.#316422 (1948-49) I have tuned the piano
for
> about 10 years. Many times they call me about keys that do not work.
Mainly
> in octaves 4 and 5 (F#-A-4: G-A#-5) The problem: The keys will work
several
> times, then the jack fails to return under the hammer butt. If you work at
a
> little it will go back under and then work for several more times (maybe
> 15-20, maybe 2 weeks).I have adjusted the regulating screw, the capstan,
> replaced the jack springs,adjusted the spoon,used Protek on the key,
> re-pinned the flanges, checked the key bushings,but still they refuse to
work
> as they should. What am I missing? The piano is not abused as it it used
by 3
> girls in the family that are serious about the piano and do a lot of
> practicing. I would like to try something else so that I can leave the
house
> and feel confident that the keys will work for the kids.
>