Pianotech

  • 1.  Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Posted 07-18-2017 19:51
    Hello

    I don't post often and do more lurking than anything, but I have a small dilemma.

    The piano I just looked at had been recently moved across the state and set up in the customer's house.  She said "it is ringing constantly" so I immediately thought that the wooden dowel had gotten jammed underneath the section of wood that lifts the dampers.  This was the case, but when I inserted the metal pin back into it's hole, the dampers failed to lift adequately off the strings when the pedal was pressed.  I tried adjusting the pedal rod but this was of marginal help.

    I think when the piano was moved, some sort of "spacer" came off where the bottom of the wooden dowel rests.  Does this sound plausible?  She said that the dampers were lifting perfectly before the move. 

    I don't want to guess, so I thought I would ask you all.  

    Thank you

    Patrick

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    Patrick Greene
    Associate Member
    Knoxville TN
    865-384-6582
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  • 2.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-18-2017 20:33
    It is more likely that the thick piece of leather glued to the sustain pedal's trap work went missing. There are also rubber (&/or leather) pieces at the pedal's rear cup that the bottom of the sustain pedal rod rests. These might be missing or worn.
    If you confirmed these parts were all present it may indeed be possible you have a punching missing from the dowel. Bring a few thicknesses of punchings, pieces of leather, etc. when you go back & adjust the pedal rod's top nut appropriately.
    It is also quite possible the 3 pedal rods got mixed up!

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    Patrick Draine
    Billerica MA
    978-663-9690
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  • 3.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-18-2017 21:54
    Also, be prepared to reset the damper upstop rail.  If anyone tromped hard on the pedal when the pitman was misinstalled, they may have dislodged the upstop rail.

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    John Rhodes
    Vancouver WA
    360-721-0728
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  • 4.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Posted 07-31-2017 21:31
    Thank you so much for the excellent suggestions and I really appreciate your feedback.

    I should have taken pictures and kicked myself for that afterwards..

    While there,  I checked the lyre and it was attached correctly.  I made sure the rods were sitting in the correct locations.  I think it is the thick leather pad that sits at the base of the dowel rod.  Once I insert the correct thickness of leather in there, I believe that the problem will be solved and the "play" will be eliminated.  I will check the up-stop rail.

    Patrick

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    Patrick Greene

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  • 5.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Posted 07-18-2017 22:05
    Pictures are always helpful.
    Accepting a piano from another technician can certainly cause distress.
    Keep to the basics.
    Pedal rod order is often swapped during a move or at setup; so experiment switching pedal rods around. Normally the rear of the pedal will have a rubber grommet inserted at the pedal heel. The upper end of each push rod is threaded and should include a cap with locking washer and lock-down nut.

    Timing for the pedal Damper lift should ideally sync with the sharp key-damper lift.

    If you are not getting enough pedal to Damper lift the following are potential causes.
    a. Lost motion
    b. Leaver stop capstan can be too low limiting travel.
    c. Missing grommet(s)
    d. Excess pedal stop felt in the Lyre box.
    e. Missing pedal leaver bottom leather or upper leaver felt.
    f. Upstop rail can be too low; which would cause key and pedal dysfunction.
    Hope this helps!

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266
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  • 6.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-18-2017 23:42
    Also, check to see if the lyre is firmly attached to the underside of the keybed, and if the lyre supports are not loose in the pedal box or the top block. Tipping the piano on the lyre can loosen these.
    Paul Mccloud
    San Diego



    Pictures are always helpful.
    Accepting a piano from another technician can certainly cause distress.
    Keep to the basics.
    Pedal rod order is often swapped during a move or at setup; so experiment switching pedal rods around. Normally the rear of the pedal will have a rubber grommet inserted at the pedal heel. The upper end of each push rod is threaded and should include a cap with locking washer and lock-down nut.

    Timing for the pedal Damper lift should ideally sync with the sharp key-damper lift.

    If you are not getting enough pedal to Damper lift the following are potential causes.
    a. Lost motion
    b. Leaver stop capstan can be too low limiting travel.
    c. Missing grommet(s)
    d. Excess pedal stop felt in the Lyre box.
    e. Missing pedal leaver bottom leather or upper leaver felt.
    f. Upstop rail can be too low; which would cause key and pedal dysfunction.
    Hope this helps!

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266




  • 7.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Posted 07-19-2017 07:37
    Yes, very good point!bh

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    Garret Traylor
    Trinity NC
    336-887-4266
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  • 8.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-19-2017 07:24
    In addition to all the excellent suggestions that have been offered, check to see if the pedal box itself has begun to separate from the rest of the lyre.

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    Kent Burnside, RPT
    Franklin TN
    615.430.0653
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  • 9.  RE: Yamaha G3 trapwork

    Posted 08-08-2017 23:55
    I wanted to thank everyone for the excellent suggestions.  I attached a small pieces of hard felt to the bottom of the dowel rod and that did the trick.  I appreciate the help!

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    Patrick Greene

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