Pianotech

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

And the other part of the time it appears like the jack are hitting the jack stop Way too hard. Causing a clicking sound. Other than replacing the whippens are there any options?

in some cases I found the nuts to tighten down the hammer "rest" rail to be loose; tightened them and it would take care of the problem.

Sometimes replacing the old cloth with new softer cloth or felt did the trick. 

as far as the jacks making noise upon return to the stop:  try to soften the felt  (needle or softener or both) or replace the felt.

you can start with one or two that are very noisy and see if that makes the desired difference.

Peter

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

1907? Original action?

Has every cushion in the action been under compression for 108 years? What might that do to the action geometry?

My recollection of vintage M & Hs is that they had individual wippen cushions, but maybe 1907 was different.

1907? Original action?

Has every cushion in the action been under compression for 108 years? What might that do to the action geometry?

My recollection of vintage M & Hs is that they had individual wippen cushions, but maybe 1907 was different.

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

Dear technicians, 

 I have been encountering a lot of grand pianos with ridiculously noisy actions. Most of the time it appears to be the Hammers walking down on the rest rail when they return.

I had the chance to see a piano with what appeared to be white felts installed possibly after the fact. The action was the quietest you would ever hear. I believe I have seen that design on Renner style whippens, where instead of having a rest rail it has white felt to catch the Hammers as they return. 

But currently have a 1907 Mason and Hamlin where the customer is complaining about a noisy action. And it's obvious that the hammers are whacking back on the back rail. Would it be possible to save those Mason and Hamlin whippens and replace the felt or add white hammer rest stops?

Thanks

The source for noise on key release is hardened felt, back rail and jack rest button. These two usually are the most prominent, followed by Don's list. Flick the jack to determine its involvement. Support the wippen with your finger and press the rear of the key down hear the key hitting the back rail. The OEM felt is glued on the front and rear of the underfelt, cutting the rear glue joint free does not reduce the impact noise. Replacing the felt reduces the noise.

I am currently working on a little Journal article on reducing action noise. Look for it in the new year.

A few comments here:

 - Needling 100 year old compressed and worn action felts will give limited and temporary relief/satisfaction at best.  But it can be a helpful diagnostic tool

 -Terminology, please. The hammers should never get close to the back rail, which is where the back ends of the keys rest.  The hammers will also not bounce off the hammer shank rest/rebound rail.  The shanks might, though.

 -