[pianotech] Yammy

[Encore Pianos]

A couple of thoughts here.  When I have a great many keys to ease in a
piano, I start by ironing the felt with a heated brass caul in the iron with
the heat regulator.  Pianotek sells them I believe.  You can quickly go
through a set in a controlled fashion without overeasing them, and then go
back to ease individuals by hand pliers if needed.

This may not be the issue however.  Yamaha does not use the best quality
bushing cloth, and  problems can quickly develop in pianos where they are
used heavily, such as a music school.  Are you hearing any chirping coming
from the keys?  That's an indication that the glue had wicked through  the
cloth and the pin is rubbing against the hardened glue.  No solution to that
other than rebushing.  

Also, take out some of the worst offenders and look at the bushing cloth in
good light.  Are you seeing a cupping of the felt around where it rests on
the pin?  It may be only 2 years old, but it does not mean that the bushings
aren't severely worn already.  Again, replacement is the only option.  In
this circumstance, easing the bushings can make it worse, particularly where
there is a key offset, such as in the mid treble.  

I have seen these kind of problems in P-22's for 20 years or more.   Why
Yamaha persists in using this quality cloth is beyond me. 

Will Truitt



----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mr. Mac's
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:01 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Yammy


On Jan 25, 2011, at 8:54 PM, Richard Ucci wrote:

> List,
> Local music school with 3 p-22's , 2yrs old. Last tuned March 2010. 60 or
more sluggish keys between the 3.
> Reamed balance holes and lubed bushings . I can't recall if they have
weights or not.
> Keys are sticking again, but they did go thru a summer in nj. They keep
putting me off about DC systems.
> Any suggestion's?

Richard,

Per your request of any suggestions:
I would forgo the concept of DC systems as a solution and concentrate more
   on what the actual problem is that is causing the keys to stick / be
sluggish again.

I would also forgo your approach of reaming any more balance rail holes as a
solution.

If in fact the key bushings are causing this problem,
   easing is a more practical and long term solution than lubricating.

The lubricant you used could have created an additional problem in and of
itself.

By examining a few of the worst offenders on your next visit,
   you should easily be able to determine the actual cause for this issue.

60 or more is a huge amount and deserves special attention for the real
problem,
   especially knowing the usual reliability of Yamaha pianos.

Keith