[pianotech] Muffler rail screws

[Ryan Sowers]

I think they are a great feature. When I had my Fandrich & Sons upright
piano I used it frequently. It gives piano owners and players more
opportunities to practice. There are times when one might think "maybe I'll
practice a little, but...I don't really want to bother the other people in
my home right now so I'll practice later." Additionally they help develop
finger muscles by encouraging the player to play exercises at fff level yet
with only a mp sound. It also saves a little wear and tear on the hammers
and quite possibly the tuning as well.

I'm planning on ordering the new practice mute for the grand piano being
sold by Steven James:

http://www.grandpianomuffler.com/Site/Grand_Piano_Muffler.html

Ever since I "upgraded" to a full grand I find I haven't been practicing as
much! Sometimes I really miss my Fandrich & Sons...sigh. Still, I'm really
loving my 1912 Steinway O![?]

BTW...Hi Dave![?]

On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 8:04 PM, Dave Davis <davistunes at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Yes. Many apartment and condo dwellers use them. However, you're right, a
> lot of people don't know it's there. I usually show a parent, and suggest
> that when they have a headache, it will make the kid's practice more
> tolerable. :-)
>
> Dave Davis
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* paul bruesch <paul at bruesch.net>
> *To:* pianotech at ptg.org
> *Sent:* Friday, March 20, 2009 3:57:20 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [pianotech] Muffler rail screws
>
> Does anyone know anyone who actually uses their muffler? Seriously, a lot
> of people I tune for don't even know what it's for.
> Paul Bruesch
> Stillwater, MN
>
> On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 5:40 PM, Joe And Penny Goss <imatunr at srvinet.com>wrote:
>
>>  Hi Matthew,
>> Are you possibly talking about some of the China dolls that have screws
>> that are so soft that the head strips out
>> when you try to remove them?
>> Of late I have been my pliers to widen the U that holds the rod that pulls
>> the muffler down. That way It can be removed
>> like the old standard Yamahas.
>> Dont you just love the models that just lift out <G>
>> Joe Goss RPT
>> Mother Goose Tools
>> imatunr at srvinet.com
>> www.mothergoosetools.com
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>
>> *To:* pianotech at ptg.org
>> *Sent:* Friday, March 20, 2009 3:09 PM
>> *Subject:* [pianotech] Muffler rail screws
>>
>>   I have been coming to several pianos where the screws are so tight (on
>> new pianos) that I cannot remove the muffler rail to tune, and then am left
>> with the annoyance of tuning around the rail.  Some have the wing nuts, but
>> some do not.  And rather than strip the screw heads, it is best to leave
>> them alone.
>>
>> However, is there a particular method for removing those stubborn screws?
>> Would liquid wrench work, or is there another trick?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> ***TODD PIANO WORKS*
>> Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
>> (979) 248-9578
>> http://www.toddpianoworks.com/
>>
>>
>


-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net
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