Pianotech

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

I've never tried it, but some techs on this site have said to use a drop of fabric softener.  If you do that, let me know.  I have no idea of the dilution or anything else.  I'm sure someone else will fill it in from here.

------------------------------
Ted Rohde
Central Illinois
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

I have used a chopstick voicing tool to fluff the felt. It makes it go away for a while. The one piano on which I did this it was back after a year. That's not bad considering it takes about 20-30 minutes to do. Replacing was not a (financial) option on this piano. The piano is a 1995 Young Chang grand.

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Original Message------

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

This was due to a supply error in the Young Chang factory.
Time was they'd send free replacement buttons...decades past.
If you call Pianotek they can send the right replacements. 
Remove the hammer rail with hammers attached for easy access to the wippens to replace the buttons.
Mark the hammer rail location before you remove it!

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky. 
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.  
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

You can try the chopstick approach in conjunction with fabric softener BUT the noise will return. The problem is the compaction of the felt against the spoon every time the jack returns and the only real solution is to get the proper felt button and remove all of the felt buttons. If you listen closely to any grand you will hear the noise at various levels of intensity. It is extremely annoying and can show up on recordings or in soft playing. In pianos with aluminum action rails the noise is amplified since it gets transmitted down the spoon into the whippen to the flange and the rail amplifies the sound. Ultimately the customer has to decide but it is best to give them the facts. You could get a call back when it returns and they will say you didn't fix it the first time. This is one of those cant win situations. When I used fabric softener on the felt in a yamaha it was like magic especially in the high treble/undamped section. By the time I finished all of the felts moving down to the bass the noise had returned. Needling with a chopstick voicer had some effect because it created air space however the noise came back in a few weeks. When you do put on new felt you will need to make some changes with the jack adjustment screw so the jack is in the correct line with the knuckle core

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 09:32
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky.
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Sheffey-
No gluing needed.
Get the replacement buttons with the felt already glued on.
Hold the old button by the sides and unscrew the regulating screw.
Put in the new button and rescrew.
If you feel a moral or economic need to reuse the original buttons, replace the felt and use them on the next piano.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 09:32
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky.
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Thanks Ed, sounds more reasonable.  Now I need to adjust one of my regulation screwdrivers so it fits my power screwdriver :)
Since I only applied the CLP a few days ago, it might be next year before the clik returns, but now I'm prepared.  Also, no one else has reported using CLP, everyone is either needling or using profelt or fabric softener.  So, I will be interested to see how long the CLP application holds up.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 10:40
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: jack button felts

Sheffey-
No gluing needed.
Get the replacement buttons with the felt already glued on.
Hold the old button by the sides and unscrew the regulating screw.
Put in the new button and rescrew.
If you feel a moral or economic need to reuse the original buttons, replace the felt and use them on the next piano.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 09:32
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky.
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Unfortunately, Pianotek no longer sells the button with the felts already attached.
You have to buy the button felts and the jack buttons separately.  I always just buy the felts, cut the old ones off and reglue the new felts.
It's a 2 hour job.  I've done dozens of them.  It's a very common problem.

Also, check the hardness of the knuckles.  That can be apart of the clicking problem, too.


------------------------------
Dave Foster, RPT
Waterford MI
248-431-8804
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 21:07
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Thanks Ed, sounds more reasonable.  Now I need to adjust one of my regulation screwdrivers so it fits my power screwdriver :)
Since I only applied the CLP a few days ago, it might be next year before the clik returns, but now I'm prepared.  Also, no one else has reported using CLP, everyone is either needling or using profelt or fabric softener.  So, I will be interested to see how long the CLP application holds up.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 10:40
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: jack button felts

Sheffey-
No gluing needed.
Get the replacement buttons with the felt already glued on.
Hold the old button by the sides and unscrew the regulating screw.
Put in the new button and rescrew.
If you feel a moral or economic need to reuse the original buttons, replace the felt and use them on the next piano.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 09:32
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky.
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Thanks for the supply update.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2019 22:03
From: Dave Foster
Subject: jack button felts

Unfortunately, Pianotek no longer sells the button with the felts already attached.
You have to buy the button felts and the jack buttons separately.  I always just buy the felts, cut the old ones off and reglue the new felts.
It's a 2 hour job.  I've done dozens of them.  It's a very common problem.

Also, check the hardness of the knuckles.  That can be apart of the clicking problem, too.


------------------------------
Dave Foster, RPT
Waterford MI
248-431-8804

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 21:07
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Thanks Ed, sounds more reasonable.  Now I need to adjust one of my regulation screwdrivers so it fits my power screwdriver :)
Since I only applied the CLP a few days ago, it might be next year before the clik returns, but now I'm prepared.  Also, no one else has reported using CLP, everyone is either needling or using profelt or fabric softener.  So, I will be interested to see how long the CLP application holds up.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 10:40
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: jack button felts

Sheffey-
No gluing needed.
Get the replacement buttons with the felt already glued on.
Hold the old button by the sides and unscrew the regulating screw.
Put in the new button and rescrew.
If you feel a moral or economic need to reuse the original buttons, replace the felt and use them on the next piano.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2019 09:32
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Benjamin,
Thanks for the link. This seems to be a more common problem than I realized, guess I've been lucky.
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on felt replacement.  I would still be inclined to remove each wippen so I can make sure the jack button wood is clean before I glue on the new felt.
Everyone: Thanks for your input, it gives me a much better prospective on this and what to expect in the future.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey,

There was a similar thread a few months back. Here is a link to it, or you can search the archives for "Noisy Jacks."

Best,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------

I believe a drop or two of VS-PROFELT on the dimple would be a very good remedy until new felts can be installed. 

Pwg

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

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 23:43
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: jack button felts

Hi Sheffey
I have encountered the same issue on yc made grands a few times and i treated it  by needling the felts and applying hammer felt softener because the owners did not want to pay for the more costly but proper repair.
All best
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2019 20:20
From: Sheffey Gregory
Subject: jack button felts

Today I worked on a 1998 Weber grand [made by Young Chang] with a noticeable click in the keys. I traced it to the jack button felt. By putting a few drops of CLP on the felt I got the noise to go away. But, I don't know for how long. I've already warned the customer that the real fix is to replace the felt. So, has anyone else had a similar experience? What did you treat the felt with? How long did that last? If you have replaced the jack button felt, how long did that take? Thanks.

------------------------------
Sheffey Gregory, RPT
------------------------------