<html> <head> <style></style></head> <body class='hmmessage'><div dir='ltr'> The general consensus I've gathered from various sources seems clear; "if you can <a href="http://www.grammarist.com/usage/make-do-make-due/" target="_blank">make do</a> with what's already there, i.e., the original dampers, DON'T try to replace them!!! You may make matters far worse, and dig yourself into an ever-deepening hole!" Cheers, Terry "UniGeezer" Peterson "Over 50, and not '2' Tired!" <a style="font-weight:bold" href="http://unigeezer.com/" target="_blank">www.unigeezer.com</a> <div><div id="SkyDrivePlaceholder"></div>> From: joegarrett@earthlink.net > To: encorepianos@metrocast.net; pianotech@ptg.org > Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 23:21:35 -0800 > Subject: Re: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright > > Will, > Are you playing Devil's Advocate?<G> > See my answers below > > > > [Original Message] > > From: Encore Pianos <encorepianos@metrocast.net> > > To: <joegarrett@earthlink.net> > > Date: 2/6/2012 8:05:09 PM > > Subject: RE: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright > > > > Well, Steinway altered the design on the K-52's to a larger damper. Who > > decides what it was intended to be? Steinway changed the design, so they > > must have decided that the earlier one wasn't what they intended it to be. > > If you really knew the real story, you wouldn't be making that statement or > question. Truth is: They discontinued manufaccturing the K-52. And, as the > story goes, tossed out all of the original plans/jigs/fixtures,etc. Then, > years later, they decided that was a bad decision and decided to start > making that model again. They started with an olde one, that was not in > very good shape and tried to replicate it. However, they decided to use > Pratt-Win keys and actions instead of the original stuff. BIG FUBAR!!! > (this was during the time of TEFLON) I suspect there are still a few of > those turkeys out there.<G> Then, they decided to use Renner parts. It has > morphed into what it is today. Is it as good as the original design? I > don't think so! It's close, but it just ain't the same. The originals > had/have a beautiful singing quality throughout the scale. The new ones > seem to be somewhat lacking imo. > > > > The history of piano design was evolutionary up to the last hundred years > or > > so. Who decides when it has been perfected? > > That, sir, is a totally ridiculous question that I will not justify with my > answer!!! > > > > What is "too much damping"? Be specific on the amount, and how that is > > measured. > > Will, Go to bed and think about it, before asking, yet another stupid > question! > Respectfully, > Joe > > > > Will Truitt > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Joseph Garrett [mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net] > > Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 10:07 PM > > To: Encore Pianos; pianotech@ptg.org > > Subject: RE: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright > > > > Will, > > I disagree. But, suit yourself. > > My thought is this: Too much damping is just as bad as not enough. > > Most techs dislike over-damper pianos, because they do not dampen like the > > pianos they work on. Big mistake. The intended overall sound of the > > instrument is altered significantly when we attempt to make it something > it > > was not intended to be. That's my take on this. It's served me well. > > Best, > > Joe > > > > > > > [Original Message] > > > From: Encore Pianos <encorepianos@metrocast.net> > > > To: <joegarrett@earthlink.net>; <pianotech@ptg.org> > > > Date: 2/6/2012 6:36:19 PM > > > Subject: RE: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright > > > > > > The Tokiwa kit or equivalent is superior in damping to the original > > design. > > > The original dampers are too small to damp as effectively as the > > > longer > > bass > > > and tenor dampers of the kit. The new Steinway upright dampers are > > > longer than the old for that reason and damp better. > > > > > > Will Truitt > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On > > Behalf > > > Of Joseph Garrett > > > Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 8:57 PM > > > To: pianotech > > > Subject: Re: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright > > > > > > Terri the Uni-Geezer asked: > > > "I"m replacing worn hammers and *dampers* on a client's old Steinway > > > upright, circa 1908. Having never replaced dampers on this particular > > model, > > > I was unaware that--apparently--replacing dampers on this piano is a > > > NIGHTMARE, and one of the most difficult damper jobs of ANY piano, > > > either upright or grand. Is this true? This gloomy scenario was > > > communicated to > > me > > > by a tech who works at a local piano supply house, but I'd rather not > > > mention who. > > > > > > I was told that the felts, especially the treble, are 'tapered' and > > > that > > you > > > must "peel little layers off as you work your way up", or they won't > > > lift properly, and won't dampen correctly. Basically I was told that > > > ALL the dampers are almost impossible to get right with modern day > > > replacements, without significant modification. Pics attached are from > > > the action > > showing > > > the dampers. I would appreciate ANY advice the forum member may have, > > > and what you might suggest, short of declining the job! > > > > > > PS: Brooks LTD told me that the Tokiwa TDVK damper kit (pic also > > > attached) would work well. Your thoughts on this would also be > > appreciated." > > > > > > Terry "UniGeezer" Peterson, > > > > > > Replicating is far less difficult than climbing that big-ass hill!<G> > > > So, suck it up and reproduce exactly what is there. If you do not have > > > the necessary damper felt, (in strips and sets), the Guillotine > > > cutter, Hot > > Glue > > > Pot and other assorted tools necessary to that job, get them or farm > > > it > > out > > > to someone who can do the job correctly. The Tokiwa set may work. > > > Then again, maybe not. I've done several of these actions.. They ARE > > > the most difficult to work on, IMHO, so meticulous work is required. > > > OR, you will have the biggest nightmare of your piano loving career. > > > (I've had to clean up the mess of others that did not take this > > > advice...not a fun gig fer sur.) However, this is a worthy effort, > > > since the Steinway Uprights of that design/era were, IMO, some of the > > > best, ever. Yes, they are cranky critters, but the end result can be > > extremely gratifying/satisfying. > > > So........Go For It Big Uni-Geezer Dude!<G> Best, Joe P.S. > > > If you need specific help, feel free to call me. > > > > > > > > > Joe Garrett, R.P.T. > > > Captain of the Tool Police > > > Squares R I > > > > > > > > > > > </div> </div></body> </html>