Pianotech

  • 1.  skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-20-2019 16:51
    The middle damper in the pic below leans to the right and is not seating squarely on both the front and the back of the two damper felts. The left string has noticeable bleed through. The dampers are all fairly new and soft, like new. The piano doesn't get played much so I'm guessing the damper got accidentally nudged out of place and then sat there for a very long time uncorrected. I'm thinking that I may have to remove the damper felts and place them a bit further to the left, since they are noticeably not centered. Any other suggestions?




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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 2.  RE: skewed damper question

    Posted 01-20-2019 17:40
    The problem is, the damper head is not centered between its neighbors. Increase the bend above the guide rail to center the felt over the unison. Make certain the wire below the rail has the proper bends for the wire to enter the top flange unimpeded and the damper travels straight when engaged, the easiest way to observe this is to engage the pedal or lift the tray. It's Damper Fitting 101.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 3.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-20-2019 18:05
    Additionally, note whether damper guide rail bushing is (roughly) centered between strings, or at least not egregiously off.  If so, that should be attended to first,  Also, if guide rail holes have side to side play (some being normal), make sure wire is bearing positively (but not excessively) toward the bass, which, in picture would be to the left.  Felt appears to have been glued slightly to the right.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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  • 4.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-20-2019 18:19
    Then after doing that, if I bleeds, replace the felt and you're done.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 5.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-20-2019 19:00
    Caution! Making this bend can easily hurt the wire to head connection. Avoided by holding the area in place with a parallel pliers and /or removing the damper before bending.


  • 6.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-22-2019 12:56
    Maybe it's finally time to invest in one of those grand damper hooks. 

    Thanks to all for the comments & suggestions.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 7.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-22-2019 13:55
    Hard to really mess up dampers without one, but they're not all the same.  Seen some good home-mades.  Steinway tool (if still available) has been reliable.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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  • 8.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-23-2019 08:09
    Steinway's tool had better be good - it's 9x the price of the Pianotek's Hart tool!

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    Mark Dierauf
    Concord NH
    603-225-4652
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  • 9.  RE: skewed damper question

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-23-2019 08:49
    Have to check as to whether mine is Steinway or Pianotek (Hart). Looks familiar.  Not sure if we can work on Steinways without the official tool.
    Still, please avoid discussing prices here.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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