Pianotech

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

seating of the strings at the termination point maybe?
did you try Jon's CBL?
Peter

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

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Oh right.  I forgot to mention that I also tried seating the strings at the bridge, hitch pins and raised plate flange.  (didn't do anything)

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:32
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

seating of the strings at the termination point maybe?
did you try Jon's CBL?
Peter

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

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

You started doing the right thing, but stopped short. Keep stabbing that hammer in the high shoulder, on both sides, and eventually the ting will disapear.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Perhaps the hammer glue joint is loose. That would cause a click on the attack.
-chris

------------------------------
Chernobieff Piano Restorations
"Where Tone is Key"
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
Lenoir City, TN
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:44
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

You started doing the right thing, but stopped short. Keep stabbing that hammer in the high shoulder, on both sides, and eventually the ting will disapear.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

My guess would be a loose hammer glue joint, followed by hammer flange screws need tightening.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

I'm not a seasoned technician, but I might have an idea. I'm restoring an upright Baldwin with a sostenuto rod. The original wire that rotates down and holds the dampers was covered in some sort of silk or fabric that kept it quiet when dampers would hit against it when not in use. I had to replace the wire with plain piano wire, which is not insulated in any fabric or silk. As I'm working on regulating I'm noticing a "tink" sound as I play the bass notes. I know from the work I've been doing I know that it's the little metal post hitting the wire of the sostenuto rod. I need to adjust the posts so this doesn't happen. Maybe that is something you can check.

------------------------------
Tricia Turner
Lehi UT
801-368-3637
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Sometimes the mute rail screws, if not tight will vibrate. Possibly just tight enough that only the attack sets it to vibrate once as a “tink?”

Joe Wiencek


Original Message:
Sent: 9/2/2021 1:37:00 AM
From: Tricia Turner
Subject: RE: Bass string annoying attack sound

I'm not a seasoned technician, but I might have an idea. I'm restoring an upright Baldwin with a sostenuto rod. The original wire that rotates down and holds the dampers was covered in some sort of silk or fabric that kept it quiet when dampers would hit against it when not in use. I had to replace the wire with plain piano wire, which is not insulated in any fabric or silk. As I'm working on regulating I'm noticing a "tink" sound as I play the bass notes. I know from the work I've been doing I know that it's the little metal post hitting the wire of the sostenuto rod. I need to adjust the posts so this doesn't happen. Maybe that is something you can check.

------------------------------
Tricia Turner
Lehi UT
801-368-3637
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/2/2021 1:37:00 AM
From: Tricia Turner
Subject: RE: Bass string annoying attack sound

I'm not a seasoned technician, but I might have an idea. I'm restoring an upright Baldwin with a sostenuto rod. The original wire that rotates down and holds the dampers was covered in some sort of silk or fabric that kept it quiet when dampers would hit against it when not in use. I had to replace the wire with plain piano wire, which is not insulated in any fabric or silk. As I'm working on regulating I'm noticing a "tink" sound as I play the bass notes. I know from the work I've been doing I know that it's the little metal post hitting the wire of the sostenuto rod. I need to adjust the posts so this doesn't happen. Maybe that is something you can check.

------------------------------
Tricia Turner
Lehi UT
801-368-3637
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Neil,
You didn't write anything about checking glue joints.  Sometimes the hammer seems solid, but it's not.  Also the back check catcher at the dowel, or the dowel at the hammer butt.
Stewart

------------------------------
Stewart Freedman, RPT
Freedman Piano Service
Akron, OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Neil,
You didn't mention if these notes were bi-chords. If so, check to see if the hammer is mated properly to the bi-chord.
Roger

------------------------------
Roger Gable
Gable Piano
Everett WA
425-252-5000
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Backscaled muted?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2021 11:25
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Neil,
You didn't mention if these notes were bi-chords. If so, check to see if the hammer is mated properly to the bi-chord.
Roger

------------------------------
Roger Gable
Gable Piano
Everett WA
425-252-5000

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

No, they were singles ... C1 and D#1 were particularly bad.
Should have mentioned that detail.

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2021 11:25
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Neil,
You didn't mention if these notes were bi-chords. If so, check to see if the hammer is mated properly to the bi-chord.
Roger

------------------------------
Roger Gable
Gable Piano
Everett WA
425-252-5000

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Loose winding?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2021 14:54
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

No, they were singles ... C1 and D#1 were particularly bad.
Should have mentioned that detail.

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2021 11:25
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Neil,
You didn't mention if these notes were bi-chords. If so, check to see if the hammer is mated properly to the bi-chord.
Roger

------------------------------
Roger Gable
Gable Piano
Everett WA
425-252-5000

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

can you post a short video with audio ? also helpful to list the notes that are making the noise. Are there any new or newer stings in the piano? some pieces of cut off piano wire or even a broken piano wire could be down behind the bottom board or even a paper clip[. Try tightening the screws on the  damper heads and also weave some cloth between the hitch pins and string on the back scale. Hunting down sounds is a big challenge. There could be a loose screw on the fallboard hinge .

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

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

I want to thank everyone that posted hints here.  You've given me some good things to try out when I re-visit this piano!

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 21:23
From: Neil Vanderschaaf
Subject: Bass string annoying attack sound

Yesterday I was at a house where the owner of a Yamaha U3 was complaining about sounds coming from several of the bass notes.  As I listened to them, what I heard was a sort of a "tink" at the beginning of the note attack and then the rest of the sound was normal.  The "tink" sound was very similar to that which you get if you pluck some of the short lengths of (bass) strings that are between the tuning pins and the raised plate flange.  Since some of these short strings pitch and tonality were almost an exact match to the "tink", I tried weaving one of my felt mute strips through them but it didn't help any.  Then I tried a minimal amount of hammer shaping and needling which seemed to help a bit but never did solve the problem completely.  I'm hoping someone knows why this might be happening and what they've done to eradicate the "tink".

Thanks

------------------------------
Neil Vanderschaaf
Round Rock TX
512-577-1840
------------------------------