Baldwin pedal saga continues

[David Chadwick]

Michelle, 
I have also made these changes that Avery has mentioned to several Baldwin's with no pedal/trap lever stop cushion. In both cases the pianos were in -home piano's used by professional musicians. The complaint was the same (had to use the pianist to technician translation reference book) for mushy sustain pedal. Limiting damper travel to just at the top of depressed sharp key travel (if timed correctly with key lift) should solve the phenomenon as well as limit the amount of thumping noise whenever pedal off/termination occurs which seems to come through clearly whenever she recorded her performance. I used a hex head bolt, similar to the ones included in a PianoDisc installation kit, and glued the proper thickness of firm felt to the lever. No complaints after this repair was done. 

David C. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Avery 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 7:39 AM
  Subject: Re: Baldwin pedal saga continues


  Michelle, 

  Does he use Steinway pianos at work? If so, you're probably never going 
  to get the Baldwin to feel similar to that. A couple of things I've done on 
  Baldwins is to put hard felt (could also be leather, I guess) stop blocks 
  underneath to limit the pedal travel to no more than necessary. It's been a 
  while since I've worked on one of those but as best I remember, Baldwin grands
  usually have more pedal travel than necessary. Make sure the trichords clear 
  the strings and that there is an even damper regulation with the pedal. A lot
  of excess travel makes it very difficult for a concert level pianist to get 
  precise pedaling! 

  Another alternative that takes a little longer, is to install a large type capstan
  screw for the stop. Make sure there's a piece of leather or something very firm on 
  the lever where it contacts the stop for noise reduction. 

  Is the pedal spring sufficiently strong? 

  Just some random thoughts which I'm sure will be corrected if I'm wrong. :-) 
  Let us know if you get it solved. We were all newbies at one time! 


  At 07:45 AM 12/17/2006, you wrote:

    Hi everyone.  I sure hope you can help with this issue.  I e-mailed a couple of days ago but haven't heard any suggestions.
     
    The customer complaint (college piano professor, home piano) is a "mushy" sustain pedal on a Baldwin grand.  I've since found out that she's had TWO nationally known techs look at it with no positive results.  And she thinks the newbie is going to fix it?  =)   She's really pleased with my tunings however so I want to try and help her.  
     
    Any suggestions?  Thanks very much in advance.
     
    Michelle Smith
    Bastrop, Texas
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