[pianotech] Hammer Line Issue

[David Ilvedson]

I'd be interested in how you do that to get some sort of consistent tension?

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 5/10/2009 8:14:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hammer Line Issue


>That does bring to mind and experience recently with a Schimmel where I had
>the same problem.  The keys were bobbling and after checking through the
>regulation I came to that conclusion noticing that the action was quite
>stiff when played without the pedal engaged.  Releasing tension from the
>spring not only cured the bobbling problem but also made the action much
>more pleasant to play in the process.  No ill effects from reduced spring
>tension with respect to damping efficiency.  

> 

>David Love

>www.davidlovepianos.com

> 

>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
>Of pmc033 at earthlink.net
>Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:52 PM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hammer Line Issue

> 

>On many new pianos coming from overseas, the damper springs are definitely
>too strong.  If the tension on the spring is too strong, it can reduce the
>momentum of the key enough to prevent checking at the end of the stroke.  If
>one doesn't press the key firmly to the bottom of the stroke, the result is
>that the hammer doesn't go into check.  I had a customer that purchased a
>Chinese piano, and it had bobbling hammers.  The customer played very
>softly.  No matter what I tried, on some notes the bobbling wouldn't stop.
>When I finally relieved some spring tension from the dampers, the problem
>was solved to a great degree.  The dampers did work properly, even with
>reduced spring tension.  Obviously, one has to be careful not to weaken them
>too much.  And, yes, all the other options should be tried first.  I believe
>this is indeed a dynamics issue, since the resistance felt at the key gives
>a false impression that one has completed the key stroke.  It makes soft
>play without bobbling almost impossible.

>    Paul McCloud

>    San Diego

>