Pianotech

  • 1.  Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 08:40
    What is your preferred method for spacing Yamaha grand shanks when sliding the flange right or left doesn't quite cut it?

    It is actually quite rare that I even need to do much of any spacing on these as they tend to be pretty stable. But this older one is all over the place. 

    What I started doing is using travel paper behind the flange up against the aluminum rail. It works, but I am wondering if there is a better way used by those with more Yamaha experience than I? 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 2.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 11:44
    Peter,
    Some clarification please. Can I assume you're spacing hammers? Are these the original hammers or replacement hammers? Two things bring to mine. If they're replacement hammers, maybe somebody glued the hammers too far out or too far in on the shank, causing you to force the spacing beyond the design of the flange. Is it possible the keyframe rest rail (the felt the action frame rest against on the bass side) has compressed to the degree that you are forced to move the hammers to the treble beyond the design of the flange. I have never encountered a need to space beyond the design of the flange rail if these criterion are met. My only thought would be to carve out the groove in the flange; a real pain in the butt.
    Roger





  • 3.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 12:15
    Roger, I think you're spot on. Key word was "older". Probably bass rest block.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 4.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 14:00
    Roger,

    Yes, I am spacing hammers, and yes they were replaced some 20-25 years ago. A dozen or more shanks are "way out there" to the point where shifting the flange does not bring it in enough. 

    I agree that this is unusual for these which is why I am slightly perplexed, though not in the dark.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 5.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Member
    Posted 09-07-2018 14:14
    Some pictures would help. Perhaps the wrong hammer heads got put on the wrong shanks or something was not bored properly  ? what model of Yamaha is it and are the hammers scattered or close to one another

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 6.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 14:53
    One elementary thing to check would be the action block on the left end of the action cavity. Perhaps the whole key frame/action needs to be relocated by adding or removing shims to the stop block. Don't get carried away with that because moving the action frame also affects where the keys sit in relation to the damper levers. Find a place that helps with the worst of the hammer flanges. Theoretically if you improve the position of the action frame, the hammers will not only be better placed under the strings, but will be in better alignment (knuckle to whippen/rep lever). Also, check the verticality of the hammers. That can help get the hammers aligned better under the strings, too/

    Richard West






  • 7.  RE: Spacing Yamaha hammershanks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 17:33
    I was just wondering if someone had a trick up their sleeve I didn't know about for this type of action design.  

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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