<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=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <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> <div class=Section1> I was called to work on a Kimball console piano this week.  Manufactured about 1957.  The name decal says = kimballette?? It was 169 cents flat.  I did a pitch raise and tune, and all went well.  The problem is that the keys bottom out on the front rail = felts before achieving let off.  The dip is only about 6 mm.  =  I removed the keys and cleaned and vacuumed, and also removed the key slip = to measure the key height.  The front rail of the key frame stands = above the key bed some 3 or 4 MM.  This is even across the front of the front = rail key frame.  The balance rail seems to be correct and bedded on the = key bed.  The balance rail felts are good, and appear to be sufficient = in thickness.  The front  rail that is high is consistent in = being off of the key bed from bass end of the piano to the treble.  There is = dirt and trash between the rail and the key bed that I did not try to clean = out as I would have had to remove the key frame to get to it.  There appears = to be some sort of spacer on a couple of the screws that hold down the key = frame which seems to be there specifically to keep the front rail spaced as it is.  It does not appear that the frame or key bed is warped.  = The piano has not been worked on previously so I don’t think the = problem is a former job gone bad.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The piano was left in a garage for the past several = years, and now has been given to the present owner.  The finish is in good = shape, and the strings are clean and tuned up well, the pins are nice and = tight.  The balance rail and front rail felts are good as is the back = cloth.  The keys are not warped. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Everything looks like it would work well if I just = removed the key frame, clean underneath and replace it so that it is flat to the keybed.  Then the keys should have proper dip, even if some = adjustment with felts needs to be done.  Should I just put in thicker balance = rail felts to achieve the proper dip????<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What am I missing?????  Does anyone have a = suggestion as to why this piano would have this type of problem.  Your = thoughts would be gratefully accepted.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I have a couple of weeks to figure it out while the = owner is on a trip.  I am to go back to work on the piano at the end of = April…<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ed Carwithen<o:p></o:p> PTG associate<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">John = Day</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">OR</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p= > <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>