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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>John,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2 - 3 grams in the wippen centers is not out of
line for a Yamaha. Their bushings are usually pretty firm. But try
one, repin it for slightly firmer fit, and see if the play improves. Side
to side motion from clearance with the birds-eye is not a problem, but spongy
give is nice to eliminate as much as is reasonable.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keep in mind that the wippen center is one of the
least important centers in the action.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The rep levers in Yamaha pianos are also usually
set in the factory the way you have observed. You might get better
repetition and spring regulation if you pin this for a tighter fit, but will the
gain be worth the time? It might . . . . or it might not.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Don Mannino</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=formsma@gmail.com href="mailto:formsma@gmail.com">John Formsma</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, October 07, 2008 4:11
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> action centers - correct
friction?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV>List,</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I am reconditioning (prior to regulation) the action of a 1976 Yamaha G3
grand. The questions I have concern the whippen and balancier action centers
vis-a-vis Don Mannino's post below that I found in searching the
archives.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>In the section of bass whippens I've disassembled so far, I've noticed
most of the whippen flanges are anywhere from 2-3 grams, measured at the screw
hole. The balancier measures about 1-2 grams, measured at the drop screw
pad.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Regarding what Don wrote below, and I consider him expert in this, I
should repin the loose flanges. However, I wanted to ask the list before I
jump into this. Is there any reason <SPAN class=Apple-style-span
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">not</SPAN> to repin these centers that I am just
unaware of? Does Yamaha perhaps have a different standard for their balancier
and whippen flange centers? There is also slight sideward play in the whippen
centers, so my initial thinking is they could use repinning. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>What say you?</DIV>
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<DIV>Thanks in advance,</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>-- <BR>JF<BR></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Written by Don Mannino, 8/11/2007 archived at <A
href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/2007-August/209291.html">https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/2007-August/209291.html</A></DIV><SPAN
class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 16px; FONT-FAMILY: Times"><PRE>Here are my usual guidelines, with notes. Gram measurement is made with a
spring gauge at the screw hole, except where noted.
hammer flange centers
Depends on felt quality and firmness. My usual range would be 2 - 6 grams,
depending on humidity and bushing quality. 2g during dry conditions is OK
with good bushings, but will give poor tone with spongy bushings. If it's
raining and the bushings are not especially firm feeling, pinning at 6 grams
might be good. Evenness from note to note is most important in this center.
whippen flange centers
4 - 6 grams
balancier center
4 - 5 grams measured at the drop screw pad (with spring detached, of
course). This is a very tight feeling bushing when you are testing with
the center pin.
Jack should be pinned so that it falls slowly of it's own weight when the
wippen is held with the jack tender pointing up. This give a correct amount
of friction to match the weight of the upper part of the jack, which helps
control unwanted jack bounces during fast play.
Don Mannino</PRE></SPAN><BR><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>