Bzzzing Dampers

[Kevin E. Ramsey]

    Buzzing Dampers......... Usually caused by the felt hanging down between
the strings too far. You really have to trim them. First, you make a cut so
that the material hanging below the strings is no longer there, then you
make two more cuts on each half of the trichord, so that the damper ends are
radiused. Then you might have to do some minor fitting. That's about it.
Really nothing to be afraid of, just do it very carefully.
    I also have glued a piece of 120 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper to the
back of my little machinists' ruler. I use that on dampers to get rid of
that crustiness that can make dampers "oink". Also, make sure that the
bushing in the damper guide rail is not too loose. It's supposed to be tight
enough to prevent the damper from rattling around as it seats.
    Hope this helps.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stacy Adams" <adams_piano@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2001 8:36 PM
Subject: Bzzzing Dampers


>
> List,
>
> I tune a Yamaha G1 (1963) for a local piano teacher who has been
complaining
> of a buzzing key (D4).  It seems that the buzzing is being produced by the
> damper, a trichord wedge, as the felt settles between the vibrating
strings.
>   The damper appears to be aligned to the strings and the dampers overall
> are in decent regulation.  There are several other trichord dampers that
> buzz in this manner, but to a lesser degree.
>
> Is it a possibility that the problem stems from the consistency of the
aging
> damper felt?  Could the design of the piano (trichord wedges to F4) also
be
> a contributing factor?
>
> Any ideas to cure this annoying bzzzzz would be much appreciated!
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Stacy Adams
> PTG Associate
>
>
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