<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>Re: Dummy Damper/Keith</title></head><body> <div>At 9:37 PM -0800 11/29/03, Joseph Garrett wrote:</div> <blockquote type="cite" cite>... why have I seen "dummy dampers" on pianos that were manufactured before</blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite>spinet pianos and split rods were invented?????????<G><br> Answer: it was a way of assuring that any foible/manifestation/screw-up,</blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite>etc., would not be a problem, in regards to the factory set-up of dampers!</blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Good Morning, Joe,</div> <div><br></div> <div>As I understand the answer to your own question, you're saying that the level of competence in the piano action manufacturing industry might have been sub-standard at times, thereby causing someone with some intelligence to cover their bases by having these type levers installed in every action. Yes/No?</div> <div><br></div> <div>If so, this is the second reference in this thread you have made concerning the lack of understanding concerning piano action manufacturer's capabilities. The first being,</div> <div>"The points you make are valid, EXCEPT, you are assuming, (there's that</div> <div>stupid word again.), that actions are correctly designed, which most are</div> <div>not. " Sat, 29 Nov 2003 20:29:18 -0800</div> <div><br></div> <div>Now *if* this were the case in some of yester-year's pianos *as you are stating*,  that could easily result in the prevailing theory in several persons' minds of the lever's primary purpose. And, if in fact, this did occur for the reasons *you have stated*, then certainly its primary purpose would have been that, but only to cover up potential discrepancies. Such conditions fall outside the scope of what I am saying.</div> <div><br></div> <div>I maintain, "In a<u> properly designed and adjusted damper system</u>, there is no need for a auxiliary damper to be installed to keep a single lift rod away from the damper levers. None whatsoever." And I will add, "regardless of what year it was manufactured."</div> <div><br></div> <div>There is no fudge room here in my position. It is what it is.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Keith</div> <div><br></div> <div>Keith McGavern<br> Registered Piano Technician<br> Oklahoma Chapter 731<br> Piano Technicians Guild</div> <div>USA</div> </body> </html>