<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=Windows-1252"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C34B10.27CA11A0"> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType = namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple = style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> Piano: Late model Geo. Steck small grand. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The Problem: G#3 failing to play on a hard = blow.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Observations: Plays with perfect reliability on soft = blows but misses almost every time on hard blows (jumps up a little but no = where near the string).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Possible causes = eliminated:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <![if !supportLists]>1.       = <![endif]>Key stick is NOT cracked or broken<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>2.       = <![endif]>“Catcher Interference” ruled out by the umpire—hammer tail is NOT snaggin’ or draggin’ on the buckskin. <o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>3.       = <![endif]>Hammer, shank, and knuckle are fine. Observed, from marks on the knuckle, that it was only resting on one side of the rep lever. Hammer not centered well on strings either. Adjusted the lateral position of both = hammer and rep lever to better align everything. Had no effect on the problem. = (Before you squawk, the piano is pretty new; the hammers virtually grooveless*.) <o:p></o:p> <![if !supportLists]>4.       = <![endif]>Examined whippen assy. No problem with flanges or centers. = No cracked or broken parts. Nothing missing. Nothing unhooked or out of its = slot, etc. All in like new condition.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Clues: <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <ol style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in' start=1 type=1> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list = .5in'>Let off was early (maybe 3/8”) and turning the adjusting dowel didn’t = seem to change the letoff point. Hmmm = …<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list = .5in'>Jack height was good but jack was too far forward. Aha! Jack isn’t getting fully under the knuckle and is tripping out so fast on a hard blow that there is nothing to lift the hammer! Yes, = yes!<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list = .5in'>Turned the jack regulating screw … jack did not move any further back. I could push it back, but it just came forward again when = released.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list = .5in'>The wippen spoon was bent a little, more angled = than on neighboring whippens … almost as = though someone (factory?) was trying to get that jack into position. = Straightened the spoon. No help. Turned the regulating screw until the felt and = dowel were no longer even touching the spoon. Jack stayed right where it = was.<o:p></o:p></li> </ol> <o:p> </o:p> Hint: I had to remove the jack to fix the trouble but = there was no problem, whatsoever, with the jack. In reinstalling the jack, I = used a certain tool that I already had at hand … (what a = giveaway!)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Puzzler: If I said any more, it wouldn’t be a = puzzler now would it? What simple thing was necessary to restore this key to = full power and proper regulation? <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Prize: One of my regular clients. (Note: I get to = pick which one, and I have someone specific in mind.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> (To Joe Garrett: Thanks, Joe. And feel free to submit = an entry.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alan R. Barnard<o:p></o:p> <st1:place><st1:City>Salem</span= ></st1:City>, <st1:State>MO</= font></st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> *Grooveless? Like, wow, Man, that is so un-glad. I am, like, totally bummed for you. I really = feel for that felt. Have a flower.<o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html> --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.495 / Virus Database: 294 - Release Date: 6/30/2003