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  • 1.  Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2018 08:26
    "U1E pedal dowel bottom" is Yamaha's official description of the part pictured in the attached (hopefully) image. It is a piece of molded plastic with a flange in the middle of two protrusions, one going into the "dowel" (a long metal tube in this case), and the other into the trap arm of the sustain pedal.

    One of these broke--as it was destined to do in such a high-use application--on a 30 year old U1 in a practice room. Yamaha does not have any of these in stock. (Greg Frank was good enough to even check the parts drawers in the C & A room, but no dice.) They are back ordered with an estimate of 4-6 weeks wait. 

    So, does anyone have one of these that I could purchase from you in order to get this sustain pedal up and running again without having to improvise something while we wait for the genuine article?

    Thanks,

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 2.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2018 08:38
    Apologies for the double send (and neither one carrying the intended attachment!). Trying a different approach here...Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 3.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2018 09:04
    I think I have a few. Let me check this afternoon. Give me your address. 

    Chris



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  • 4.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2018 09:20
    Thanks for your prompt response, Christopher!

    My address is:

    Alan Eder / Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    24700 McBean Parkway
    Valencia, CA 91355

    Let me know what I owe you for the part plus shipping and handling (in the form of an invoice, so I accounting will honor it).

    Thanks again,

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2018 22:04
    Yes, I confirmed I have a handful. I'll put one in the mail Monday. No charge. That's why I hoard these things!

    Chris



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  • 6.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-18-2018 13:02
    Love that "pay it forward" attitude, Chris!

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-13-2018 12:32
    Epilogue:

    When the part(s) that were on back-order from Yamaha finally arrived yesterday, it reminded me that I had not yet thanked Chris Purdy for having the part, reading of our need on this list, and sending it to me so promptly. Nothing quite like a good ol' scavenger-hunt that ends in success!

    As followers of this thread may recall, Chris refused to accept payment for the part, for having it on hand, for shipping or for his time. So, I will be making a donation to the Piano Technicians Guild Foundation in Chris' honor. Wouldn't mind in the least if this became customary. When things do go right, we can express our gratitude by thanking our respective "higher power," and by supporting our Foundation.

    Thanks again, Chris!

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-13-2018 16:42
    Alan,

    Thank you for the kind words, you are very welcome!  I have received so much help, advice, and parts from folks on this list.  I could never pay it back in full.  This is what I love about this list and the family that we become through it.  Besides, when my wife complains about all the junk I hoard, at times like this I can say See?  That's why!!!

    Chris

    Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.
    Registered Piano Technician
    School of Music, Ohio University
    Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall
    Athens, OH  45701
    Office (740) 593-4230
    Cell    (740) 590-3842
    fax      (740) 593-1429
    http://www.ohiou.edu/music




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  • 9.  RE: Yamaha U1E pedal dowel bottom

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-18-2018 01:23
    These are stupid components. Why put something on that will break again? I make replacements out of wooden dowels oversize to the pedal rod tube. 

    So, first cut a length of dowel long enough to provide the external bearing surface plus adequate length to go into the tube.

    Then drill a hole in the center of the cut piece of dowel the diameter of a balance rail pin or slightly under (close is good). 

    Insert pin into hole and push it through so the right amount shows above the bearing surface.  (Cut the other end off if you wish, but it will just be inside the pedal rod tube where no-one will know anyway.)

    Chuck up pin into drill press and use a file or rasp to reduce the diameter of the portion going into the tube until it just fits snugly. You can use a caliper if you are so inclined or just try the fit a couple of times. Put a front rail punching on and your done.

    That's it! Now you have something that won't result in a callback in the future. (So far, I've never had one of these fail������). 



    Keith Akins, RPT
    Piano Technologist
    715/775-0022 Mon-Sat 9a-9p
    Find me on LinkedIn



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