leaky bass dampers on a Knabe console

[Richard Brekne]

Here is an opportunity to do something a lot of techs hesitate to do... Call
in an outside opinion, and visity the piano together. Find a tech in the
area who has a good reputation amoung other techs for exactly damper work.

Solving the  problem in this fashion has the nice side effect of impressing
upon your customer your desire to put their needs above your own. And you
can use the experience to learn something new as well. I have done this
kinda thing on a number of occasions through the years and it always has
been a positive experience for all concerned.



Richard Winchell wrote:

> I tuned this instrument and all was well, i.e. no damper problems
> whatsoever. About a week later my customer had a neighbor come over to
> help her install rubber cups under the front legs. She called me almost
> immediately  complaining about the dampers leaking. I went over and sure
> enough there they were. I have done everything that I can think of
> except for replacing the dampers with a new set including, checking
> damper spring strength, damper alingement, removing the action and
> tightening all action screws , roughing up the damper heads  etc. From
> the outset if I press on the bass strings the dampers follow as they are
> supposed to do and if I place my had on the bass strings the sound
> stops.  I  also checked for case geometry as best I could , all seems to
> be in order . I have spen mucho hours on this problem and am convinced
> that ther is a causual relationship between the installation of those
> cups(perhaps the neighbor lifted up on the front of the keybed causing a
> shifting of the case in some way which caused these dampers to
> malfunction?  I am reluctant to replace  the dampers  until I get some
> input from someone who may have had a similiara experience. Can anyone
> help me with this? Thanks
>
> Richard Winchell, Assoc.
> Dennis, MA

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway