M&H console/damper spoon problem

[Joseph Garrett]

There is a method of setting samples, then removing the action and doing it
on the bench. It has been written up in the PTJ. Don't know when tho.
-( maybe someone who has the new CD can point you in the right direction.)
Regards,
Joe Garrett
----- Original Message -----
From: <Tvak@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 5:53 AM
Subject: M&H console/damper spoon problem


> We recently got a used Model 50 Mason & Hamlin console in the store, and
it
> was my job to regulate and prep it for sale.  I found the action to play
> quite heavily, and so I polished the capstans, sprayed the key pins with
> teflon spray, used CLP on the action centers but found little or no
> improvement.  Next I checked the dampers and found that they lifted almost
> immediately when the key was depressed. (The impact of early lifting
dampers
> on touchweight is, BTW, something I learned about here on the list---thank
> you!)
>
> So, never having regulated damper spoons, I went to the technician in
charge.
>  He agreed with the diagnosis and attempted to regulate a damper spoon
when
> we found that this vertical piano had a sostenuto!  We removed the
sostenuto
> rod to gain better access to the spoons but unfortunately each damper
lever
> has a wire which extends downward denying us access to the spoon.  Further
> complicating it is the fact that there is a sticker below the wippen.
>
> He was stumped.  So I suggested soliciting help from the list.
>
> Is there a way to regulate the damper spoons with the action out of the
> piano?  (We tried this and failed miserably.) Any other suggestions?
>
> Any help greatly appreciated.
>
> Tom S.
> Chicago PTG Associate