CAUT

  • 1.  protea agraffes and capo bar

    Member
    Posted 09-06-2018 18:10
    Hi folks,

    Lately I've come across pianos that have pretty awful rendering while tuning. I'd like to know how some of you handle applying Protek (or some other preferred material) to the string contact points like the agraffes and capo bar. 

    Thanks,
    Happy Tuning!
    Jeff Farris

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    Jeff Farris
    Austin TX
    512-636-1914
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  • 2.  RE: protea agraffes and capo bar

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 00:38
    I service an older C7 that rendered poorly, especially raising <g class="gr_ gr_36 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_hide gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar" id="36" data-gr-id="36">pitch</g>. I discovered that the bulk of the friction was coming from the string underlayment felt between the tuning pin and the agraffe, even though the angle down from horizontal is small.

    Liberal applications to the felt of CLP for center pins improved it tremendously, to my pleasant surprise.

    I've used a variety of silicon bicycle chain lubes for the capo bar. You can always drop pitch, move the strings sideways, and remove any grooves from the underside of the capo bar as well.

    --Cy--

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    Cy Shuster, RPT
    Albuquerque, NM
    http://www.shusterpiano.com
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  • 3.  RE: protea agraffes and capo bar

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-07-2018 14:54
    I agree with Cy. However I have been using McLube 444 (dry film lube). Pianotek also sells these wonderful little brushes by the dozen that are super handy for applying to the capo bar, & agraffes (with the action out & from the bottom is best). 
    Related tip: I also keep a bottle of this in my regular tools that I carry with me-Schaff sells it in this small bottle with a "dobber" applicator right inside the bottle. SUPER handy for living key pins (not the bushings!! This stuff makes key bushings fall right out! It only happened to me ONCE!) And for lubing balancer rails, etc.

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    [Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
    [Staff Techician]
    [Texas Tech Univ]
    [Lubbock] [TX]
    [8067783962]
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  • 4.  RE: protea agraffes and capo bar

    Posted 09-08-2018 14:59
    I have had success with CPL in agraffe area as well on Yamaha, Kawai and some older Steinway grands with original strings. We have a Kawai EX in one of our recital halls that is 23 years old. I have trouble in the capo area with string rendering. The tenor area tunes nicely.

    Stephen R Duncan
    Piano Technician, CVPA,
    UNC-Greensboro
    336-847-6310