<div style = "font-size:12px; font-family:Arial; color:rgb(0, 0, 0);">Matthew,<br /> I'd first like to commend you on the cogent description of the problem. Model # age ,symptoms ,pictures all help to "paint" the picture of this problem. <br />Question; Are the bass strings thunky-buzzy-? Contaminates can ruin the strings. <br />Are the dampers "Zingy"  when they return to the vibrating strings? Are you sure the dampers are following the strings when you flex the strings back and away from the dampers?<br /><br />      I'm not sure what that crap is but cleaning with some type of solvent on a sample string would be my first step. The possible problem is that you could flush whatever is in there into the windings and make the problem worse ,but I'm thinking a squirt with benzine (if it's still available ) in a well ventilated space along with a scrub with a stiff nylon brush would remove the contaminate. Then damper felt replacement .<br /> I used to work on lot's of these as I represented a Kawai dealer back in the 80's and I don't remember any damper problems associated with the model-------Loose tuning pins YES! <br />I'll be interested in the list responses and again--  good job on the posting.<br /> Tom Driscoll<br />  <br /><br /><br /><div style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(188, 188, 188); margin: 5px 0px;"></div><span>On 03/01/11, <span>Matthew Todd<toddpianoworks@att.net></span> wrote:</span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font: inherit;" valign="top"><div>Hi all,</div><div> </div><div>I have a customer with a Kawai Upright BL-51, about 25 years old.  When you play in the middle of the keyboard, there is a obvious ring, or echo after you release your fingers from the keys.  The after ring lasts indefinitely until the sound eventually dies off.</div><div> </div><div>After spending some time troubleshooting where exactly the echo was coming from, I isolated the problem to the bass end.  After playing the middle of the keyboard, I placed my palm on the entire unichord bass section, and the echo immediately vanished.  Everything else, damper alignment, etc seemed to be in good order.</div><div> </div><div>After removing the action, I discovered where the dampers rest on the bass strings, there is a good amount of what appears to be black "gunk" on the strings.  I say "gunk" because when I touch the affected areas with my fingers, it is somewhat sticky.  The gunk is also on the dampers themselves, but it looks more green when on the white damper felt.</div><div> </div><div>So, before I run a quote to this customer, I am hoping to try and discover what caused this problem in the first place, and find the best course of action.</div><div> </div><div>Any help from this list I am sure will be beneficial in aiding in this diagnosis.  I hope the attached pictures go through as well.  Please let me know, thanks!<br /><br /></div><div><b><font color="#0000ff" size="4"><u>TODD PIANO WORKS</u></font></b> <br /><font color="#0000ff"><font size="3">Matthew Todd, Piano Technician</font> <br /><font size="3">(979) 248-9578</font></font></div><div><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><a href="http://www.toddpianoworks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.toddpianoworks.com</a></font></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>