Daniel, I've done what Alan and Richard prescribe. Once the tray is unscrewed, the whole assembly, hanging by the dampers, can be gently tilted forward a bit without bending the damper wires. This leaves enough room at the rear of the tray to back the unstop rail out. Once reassembled, I don't think you should have any damper regulation to do. I've done this on Steinways but am not sure if it will work on Baldwins. On pianos with separate rails as opposed to one long one, I have been able to remove the sections by taking out the first two dampers from each section. Probably loosening the damper tray would facilitate that also but I don't think I thought of it at the time.
Threading the felt and tape behind the damper wires doesn't sound like it would work too well. Also if you remove it, the whole rail can be treated uniformly.
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Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2021 18:03
From: Daniel Achten
Subject: Upstop rail felt replacement?
I contemplated removing the damper tray but concerned I would still have lots of damper regulating. But maybe less than I fear. I am going to experiment with that on my Baldwin R in my shop and see what happens.
I think i will also try to find some strong double sided tape and experiment with sticking different felt in hard to reach places like the small piece that softens the jack return noise on a vertical.
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Daniel Achten
Chattanooga TN
423-760-2458
Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2021 16:37
From: Richard West
Subject: Upstop rail felt replacement?
Daniel,
It seems to me I remember removing the upstop rail screws so that the rail was loose from the belly rail. Then, I loosened the screws that fix the damper tray to the belly rail, so that damper tray was basically free and hanging by all the damper wires. I could sneak the upstop rail around behind the tray and not have to mess with the dampers, wires, etc. Replace the felt, reverse the process and you're back in business. You may have some damper regulation to do, but nothing like if you removed all the dampers.
I hope someone chimes in with confirmation that this is indeed possible. It was a long time ago for me to do this.
Original Message:
Sent: 4/23/2021 2:04:00 PM
From: Daniel Achten
Subject: Upstop rail felt replacement?
Hi all,
I service a Steinway D for a concert hall which is in need of repair or replacement of the upstop rail felt. The problem is that the felt has rolled over in octave 4 allowing the dampers to jump up and hit the key hard upon return giving an objectionable kickback. The rest of the felt is in good shape and regulated nicely.
I want to avoid removing the dampers to get at the upstop rail felt! They are regulated oh so nicely.
Any ideas for 1. Replacing the felt without removing dampers? Or 2. Fixing the felt that is there?
Is there a peel peel and stick felt I could use?
Thanks in advance!
Daniel
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Daniel Achten
Chattanooga TN
423-760-2458
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