Wurlitzer Bass Sustain problem

[MBrat70179@AOL.COM]

Hi Todd,

I've had this problem several times and it is frustrating, because just when 
you think you have it fixed it comes back.  The problem is the sustain not 
the bass sustain.  The sustain pushes up the damper tray so far that the bass 
sustain dowel will get pulled out of its grommet.

The fool proof way to fix is is to limit the amount of travel in the sustain 
pedal.  There is a screw above the pedal that you can turn down to limit the 
up travel of the sustain lever.  Although sometimes I am unable to to turn it 
down far enough to attain the proper travel, so I will find an appropriate 
wood screw to replace it.  I usually adjust the damper upstop as well.  I 
first start the adjustment by fully depressing the sharp keys and watching 
the damper heads.  While holding the sharp key down, I will depress the 
sustain pedal and adjust the screw so that the pedal will raise the dampers 
the same amount as the the sharp keys.  No higher no lower.

Now just for good measure I will take the bass sustain dowel and pull the 
metal pins out slightly.  This will make the damper tray have to move farther 
to be able to pull it out of its corresponding hole.  If the pins are a 
little loose you may need to pull the pins out totally and put something in 
the bottom of the hole so the pins can not be pushed back in for some reason. 
 I usually try to be careful when pulling the pins not to scar or nick the 
pins.

Now since I am making all these adjustments to the trapwork, I will go ahead 
an make the adjustment to the damper upstop.  I hate that thumpy feeling in 
the action.

Mike Bratcher
Associate Member in Indy