<div dir="ltr"><br><br> <div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 9:19 PM, Matthew Todd <<a href="mailto:toddpianoworks@att.net">toddpianoworks@att.net</a>> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid"> <div>I was working on my piano this evening, and I noticed two problems, and I wanted to get some input before I proceed.</div> <div> </div> <div>1.  When I play one particular note, I hear a clicking sound.  It is from the action, not the key.  I believe it is the jack rubbing against the underside of the butt, and the buckskin in worn off.  When I pull the jack back with my screwdriver and release it, it does make the same kind of sound.  And when I press down on the key, wait a few seconds, then release it, I hear it too.</div> <div> </div> <div>2.  On a few notes I hear what sounds like a faint squeak.  I believe it may the front rail pin rubbing on worn bushing cloth underneath.</div> <div> </div><font color="#888888"> <div> </div> <div>Matthew</div></font></blockquote></div> <div> </div> <div>Hi Matthew,</div> <div><br>I believe you've had some excellent advise on the hammer butt issue so I won't bore you with more, just suggest checking the catcher for tightness as well. I have seen them come unglued and click as you describe, either the catcher itself or the dowel that is glued into the hammer butt.</div> <div> </div> <div>As for the squeak, I agree with those who say it is probably not the front rail pin but most probably the center rail pin with one caveat.</div> <div>Try playing the same notes with the sustain pedal fully depressed and see if the squeak is still there, if it is then address it at the key.</div> <div>If not check the damper spring slots on the damper lever, they were originally coated with a dag-type substance which has probably worn through. My favorite fix for this is a number 2 pencil nicely sharpened, use it to "color in" the area where the spring rubs against the slot in the damper lever. </div> <div> </div> <div>This is an "old school" fix that doesn't come out of a spray bottle or aerosol can but it lasts longer, doesn't "gunk up" the action and it works.</div> <div> </div> <div>If the problem is at the key, teflon powder will quiet it for the moment but teflon powder isn't forever and will wear/migrate away in time. I am not a fan of Protek for action/key problems because it masks the real problem which eventually will re-appear. I prefer to assess the problem and if the customer is willing repair it in the apropriate fashion. </div> <div>If your keybushings are squeaking it means one of 3 things, the wrong glue or too much of it was used, the wrong felt was used, the felt has worn through to the glue.</div> <div>Based on your description of the clicking hammer butt buckskin, my bet would be the wear, which means your keys, at least the balance rail, are due for rebushing.</div> <div> </div> <div>Tom Driscoll gave you some excellent advice, the wording is different but it's what I tell the newbies I work with. When you are in a customer's home, you are the expert which means you have to figure it out, you have everything you need at your disposal. If it's a key problem, there are 87 comparisons to make. Start with plan A and as you are implenting it, figure out plan B, just in case, if you need plan B, figure out plan C and so on. I've gotten to plan F a few times.</div> <div> </div> <div><grin></div> <div> </div> <div>Mike  <br clear="all"><br>-- <br>I feel sorry for the person who can't get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile. <br>Walter Chrysler <br> <br><br><br>Michael Magness<br>Magness Piano Service<br>608-786-4404<br><a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com">www.IFixPianos.com</a><br>email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> </div></div>