[pianotech] Rebel action

[Tom Gorley]

Or, the side of the jack may be scraping a screw that holds the let-off rail in place. 

 Also, 1960's Wurlitzers were notorious for having tight action centers. You'll have to remove the wippen to check the wip flange tightness. Don't trust a wippen drop with the key out.

---Tom Gorley

On Jul 6, 2011, at 8:18 AM, Joe Goss wrote:

> Arlie,
> also check to see that the jack is not binding on the let off rail.
> If it is is there too much key travel so add a punching.
> Or loosen the nearest screw and move the rail towards you just a tad.
> Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT
> imatunr at srvinet.com
> www.mothergoosetools.com
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul McCloud" <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 8:21 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Rebel action
> 
> 
>> Hi, Arlie:
>> You might look at the butt leather and see if it's come loose.  I'm not
>> sure what you mean by "rebound against the rest rail".  I assume that the
>> jack  isn't resetting and so the key doesn't repeat.  Somehow, that jack
>> isn't going back under the hammer butt, even though you have a new spring
>> installed and the jack is free.  Right?  You've got a little lost motion,
>> so the jack can get back under?  The bridle tape is not interfering with
>> the jack?  There is nothing that fell into the action, like a screw or
>> something that prevents the jack from returning?  The wippen flange is free
>> and not sticky?  Key is free, and the grommet on the lifter wire isn't
>> binding?  These spinets are hard to service because you can't see things
>> easily.  One thing that causes sticking keys on Wurlitzer spinets is that
>> the wippen heel felt has become crushed by the capstan, so it has a lot of
>> friction.  The keys become sluggish ( and won't repeat).  Cure is to
>> replace the felt on the wippen.  I would bet you have some sluggish keys
>> too, no?  If so, look at the other parts which lead up to the jack,
>> starting with the key, grommets, wippen flanges, lost motion, etc.
>> Something is amiss, and you'll find it.
>> Good luck.
>> Paul McCloud
>> San Diego
>> 
>> 
>>> [Original Message]
>>> From: Arlie Rauch <adarpub at midrivers.com>
>>> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
>>> Date: 07/06/2011 6:49:25 AM
>>> Subject: [pianotech] Rebel action
>>> 
>>> Yesterday I serviced a Wurlitzer console.  The customer complained about
>> one key (2nd Eb above middle C) not working.  The problem was that the jack
>> would get stuck when the hammer returned.
>>> 
>>> I tried various regulation changes (regulation button, back check, bridle
>> wire, etc.).  The capstan was proper.  When its action appeared to be
>> regulated exactly as those around it, the hammer would rebound against the
>> rest rail.  The only way I could get it to behave somewhat properly was to
>> move the back check about a quarter inch further forward than all the other
>> back checks.  Then it would not get stuck, but repetition suffered some.
>>> 
>>> I even replaced the jack spring, thinking that was weak, but it made no
>> difference.
>>> 
>>> What have I possibly missed here?
>>> 
>>> Arlie Rauch
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
>