Pianotech

  • 1.  What's wrong here?

    Posted 10-24-2021 20:55
    I've never seen stickers protruding this far above the grommet.   Key dip varies from 13/32 to 11/16.   Some irregularities in key height at the balance rail.  I did not detect any damage to punchings.  Lost motion was "all over the place", from grossly insufficient to excess.  Paper punchings at balance rail were sometimes on top of the felt punchings, and sometimes beneath.  The only explanation I could conceive for this mess was a possible DIY job sometime in the past.  Any other theories?  


    ------------------------------
    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    740-517-7636
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-24-2021 21:31
    I would start by adjusting lost motion. Once
    You’ve got that adjusted, try leveling the keys as best as you can. Then adjust key dip the best you can. You will then probably have to adjust lost motion again.

    Good luck.

    Wim.

    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-24-2021 22:25

    Yes, "circles of refinement". Just rough it in (the ball park is three blocks in THAT direction!") then do it again. And a third time is the charm.

    Then go home feeling very refined.




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Posted 10-24-2021 23:36
    hi Timothy,
    can't really tell from the picture, but is the hammer to string distance maybe a little bit on the small side?
    Peter

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

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Member
    Posted 10-25-2021 00:28
    looks pretty messed up by a previous attempt by a diy er; friend, the owner or even the previous owner. the fact paper punchings are on top is one clue and the grommets so far down the thread is another. there are some specs listed in the back of the ptg /randy potter publications but definitely work it out on some sample notes in each section and get them close. hammer blow, letoff, checking, lost motion, key height , key levelling, key dip, - take measurements on the samples to get a baseline . those grommets need to be close to the tops of the wires. if they are dried out or torn replace them

    if you really get stuck contact jim geiger - he knows kimballs well and worked at the factory









    '

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-25-2021 07:29
    I have one possible theory. Had this happen the other day when I put the action back in a spinet.
    When I reattached the stickers, sometimes one would reattach too high, which led to the hammers looking like they do in your picture. I had to take the rubber grommet out of the key, push it down slightly, and push it back into place. Once all the grommets were attached at the right spot, the hammers were level and everything returned to a normal position.
    Again, this may or may not work here. But it’s quick and easy to check and may save you hours of regulation time. Everything has to be installed correctly before you can regulate, so I’d start there.


    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-25-2021 08:40
    Before doing any regulation I would check a few things. Did someone remove the action, and when they put it back they did not get it in the exact correct location? Also check to see if there been a mouse infestation. Mice could have chewed punchings, or placed nesting material underneath the keys.
    There has to be a reason for the piano to be that dramatically out of regulation.
    David Weiss

    Sent from my iPad


    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-25-2021 19:21
    I have to agree with David - diagnosis is key. 
    1.  Why are keys not resting on back felt?
    2.  As Benjamin proposed, why are stickers uneven?  Pop a grommet out a check key and wippen assembly. 
    3. What is root cause of hammers being off rest rail?
    4.  Pull the knee board and check for junk in action too. 

    Blindly adjusting without determining the underlying issue will just compound the problem and may be what you are dealing with. 

     

     

    http://bit.ly/Schedule_My_Piano

     

    "Good, better, best; never let it rest, 'til the good is better and better best!"


    "Providing quality service for the world's pianos"

     

    George W.R. "Bill" Davis, RPT

    The Piano Place GA

    2315 Rocky Mountain Rd NE

    Marietta GA 30066

    www.pianoplace.net

    bill@pianoplace.net


    Sent from my iPhone



    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: What's wrong here?

    Posted 10-25-2021 09:55
    Check for structural distortion. Possibly the action support beam has shifted. Are the side panels that attach the action support beam secure? I have seen it before - where simply moving the piano a few inches throws everything out of whack.

    ------------------------------
    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
    ------------------------------

    Original Message