I am returning to a Mason & Hamlin BB to fix a squeak that has returned to a Mason & Hamlin . Before Christmas I thought I had resolved it since the squeaks seemed to be emanating from the pedal box. Removed the lyre from the piano to shops, took it apart, removed the hardened material in the pedal cups, put new buckskin in the cups and added rubber caps to the end of each pedal rod. Also put some felt on each end of the lyre support dowels. Checked the guide rail bushing and added some teflon. Noise was gone ... Got a call Friday it is squeaking again. I am thinking I should just pull the action and check the lift tray hangars, contact points, leathers/felts etc. The trap works are not the usual wooden configuration but are cast metal and very compactly placed just behind the top of the lyre. The connection for the sustain is a rod like do-dad very much like what is used on newer player systems to connect the pedal solenoid to the lift tray. The piano lived in CT for a long time, moved to Florida and is now in SC since the end of 2017.
I checked the archives and found some suggestions but perhaps someone has a good tip to fix this once and for all. Of course it could be the angle of the players foot distorting things too. I have had the experience of not being able to re-create the squeak . I am inclined to think there are more dried out parts due to the various climates/ storage and transport issues the piano has endured.
On another note the owner is complaining of "tinny" sounds on notes. I detected some light rust/corrosion/oxidation on the strings but perhaps a little voicing with a chopstick tool is advised. what say ye
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James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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