softening crusty dampers

[Bill Costanzo]

Brush damping surfaces lightly with a suede brush or other brass bristle.
On the treble felts be careful to go from the middle out (with the flow, so
to speak).

Takes less than  2 minutes and you’ll be a hero.

 

Bill C

 

 

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From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of piannaman at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:24 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: softening crusty dampers

 

 Hi folks,

 

A couple of days ago, I worked on a piano that has spent a good portions of
it's life down by the old seashore.  There's rust in various places, but
nothing is disintegrating yet.  It's a '70s aeolian console (aaargh!).

 

The most annoying problem, at least to the customer, is the buzzing sound
created when the dampers seat on the strings.  The crust that has
accumulated over time by the salt sea air has hardened the dampers
considerably.

 

I've been wondering if anyone on this list has tried the various solutions
and/or voicing techniques that are commonly used on hammers to deal with
this.  

 

My thoughts:  squeeze, needle, file.  

 

Other possibilites:  alcohol-water, fabric softener, steam

 

It isn't worth doing a damper replacement, IMHO.  That would probably cost
her more than she paid for the pso.

 

Any comments or ideas?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave Stahl




Dave Stahl Piano Service
650-224-3560
dstahlpiano at sbcglobal.net
http://dstahlpiano.net/



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