grand damper problem

[Dave Davis]

Hi John,

It sounds like you have a good diagnostic mind, and that is a very important part of  being a piano technician. However, if you want to be a great piano technician, you need to get some hands on experience with a mentor. Joining your local PTG chapter is a good way to start. Develop a relationship with several well-respected technicians in your local area and offer to pay them to help you. You can learn a lot of information from the Potter course, and from this list, but even Randy Potter recommends working as an apprentice, and joining the PTG to increase the skills you will need in this business. 

Now, to answer your question, yes, if you looked at the damper heads and they are not extremely rubbing on each other, that means the problem is down below. It might be the underlever leads have worked loose and are rubbing on their neighbors, or the keys have warped a tad and are lifting two underlevers, or maybe somebody dropped some paperclips down there and they're causing the extra lift. Either way, I suggest bringing in an experienced technician to make the repair or to supervise while you make the repair.

If you're in the NW, feel free to give me a call,

Dave Davis, RPT

----- Original Message ----
From: John Cole <johnspianotech at hotmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:48:22 AM
Subject: grand damper problem


Hey, it's me again. A lady who knows I'm just learning piano technology has 
offered to let me learn on her piano. She has a Lowrey grand. There is a 
problem with two keys on her piano. The G# above middle C lifts both its 
damper and the damper of the G beside it. The C two octaves above middle 
does the same thing with the B beside it. The G and B each only raise their 
own dampers when played (no problem). The dampers are not touching above the 
strings. The problem must be below. What could be the problem and how is it 
fixed? Could it be simply the cushion under the G# and C damper underlevers 
are sticking out and need back in place? Could it be something more than 
that? I have not pulled the action yet to look. This would be the first time 
I've pulled a grand action.

John Cole

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