Pitch drop on dropped piano

[Jon Ralinovsky]

Hi Chuck,
I suggest that you take the damper rod out and check for bent 
hangers. If you align them in a straight line, it should help with 
even damper lift from the pedal. Good luck!

Respecfully,
Jon


>Wow,
>Last piano of the day was one I had tuned only three months ago, and 
>for the last 7 years (that I've been servicing it) has been very 
>stable - one of those easy gigs I hope all of you enjoy from time to 
>time.
>It's a Kawai UST-8C in a community clubhouse that gets tuned once a year.
>Get to it today and it's 20-25 cents flat throughout. 
>I can usually plan on a relatively quick service call since no 
>schmoozing is involved, just straight piano work -
>but today's visit was over two frustrating hours.
>I should have figured it out more quickly, it all made sense after 
>inquiring at the office on my way out.
>Not only the abrupt and extreme pitch drop, but dampers that lift 
>very unevenly now, pedals that can not be properly adjusted, left 
>key block keeping A0 immobile....
>Found out that the custodian was moving it one night, and it fell 
>over, presumably on its back.
>I've seen this once before at a school on a P22, where the pitch 
>dropped significantly too but there was more case damage but no 
>damper problems resulted.
>Am wondering if the pitch raise and tuning (on the UST-8C) will hold 
>very well, or if there will be further consequences. We'll see.
>But the damper problem:  I know a split action rail can cause the 
>uneven lifting like this, but neglected/forgot
>to check this at the appointment.  Didn't see any broken rod 
>hangers, by the way (at least I looked for that.)
>Any other thoughts on this, and what to look for on the return repair appt.?
>Anyone else seen dropped pianos exhibit similar phenomena?
>I was wondering why the custodian was acting weird tonight.
>
>Chuck Christus, RPT


-- 
Jon Ralinovsky
Piano Technician
Department of Music
Miami University
513/529-6548