<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <title>RE: Extra Damper Lever Assembly</title> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1>     -----Original = Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Keith McGavern Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 5:49 PM To: Pianotech Subject: RE: Extra Damper = Lever Assembly   <div> At 3:36 PM -0500 11/28/03, Tom = Driscoll wrote: </div> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite = cite>  It's = called an auxiliary or dummy damper and is designed to keep the damper rod away = from the levers when the pedal is at rest. The spring is much heavier than on the = other damper levers and is often the first source of noise as it will wear = through the spring punching. Replace the punching (if its there )or lube W/ = V.J. </blockquote> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite = cite>   &nbsp= ;         Tom Driscoll </blockquote> <div>   </div> <div> Tom, </div> <div>   </div> <div> I don't know if you have read the other = responses, but that's what I initially said it's purpose was as well. </div> <div>   </div> <div> However, I don't recall finding auxiliary = dampers generally installed on vertical pianos with only one damper lever lift = rod. However, I do find the dummy levers installed on vertical pianos with = the bass damper lifting feature (middle pedal) that requires two damper lever = lift rods. </div> <div>   </div> <div> If these findings are correct, that would = negate keeping the rod away from the dampers as the primary reason/purpose for = the auxiliary damper lever. </div> <div>   </div> <div> Regards, </div> <div>   </div> <div> Keith McGavern Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild </div> <div> USA       =             =       Keith,       =       I had not read the other responses, but as I see it, the function of the = auxiliary damper is to keep the rod up against the action rail and away from the levers---split damper rod  or not . Indeed most = compact actions have the split rail for the middle pedal-bass sustain feature, = but a one piece rod can also interfere with the damper levers if allowed to = swing away from the rail and touch the levers with the pedal at = rest.       =       Tom Driscoll = RPT </div> </div> </body> </html>