softening crusty dampers

[Robin Blankenship]

Barbara,

Actually, if crust is the problem, then you certainly did right, I think. I was thinking more about when they don't damper as completely or quickly enough. Crustiness and the resultant zinging is a different matter. So, it was my fault for confusing the issues. Sorry. 

If it works, it works.

Robin
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Barbara Richmond 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 12:54 PM
  Subject: Re: softening crusty dampers


  Robin,

  Uh oh, maybe I did something wrong.  I actually went in perpendicular (sort of) to the surface that touches the string.  I may have done a little of what you wrote also.  Whatever I did, it worked for now (until they get replaced), which was the goal.

  Barbara
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Robin Blankenship 
    To: Pianotech List 
    Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:31 AM
    Subject: Re: softening crusty dampers


    Barbara,

    To which surface do you apply the needle(s)??? I've seen it done going in from the end the damper and very gently separating the fibers. I'm guess that in this case, doing both sanding and needling will be necessary, if not chemical treatment. 

    Robin
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Barbara Richmond 
      To: Pianotech List 
      Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 10:06 AM
      Subject: Re: softening crusty dampers


      Hi Dave,

      I suppose the degree of crusty would make a difference, but lately I had success on the bass dampers (mono- & bichords) of a grand using my sanding file and voicing needles.

      Barbara Richmond, RPT
      near Peoria, IL 
        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: piannaman at aol.com 
        To: pianotech at ptg.org 
        Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 8:24 AM
        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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