Pianotech

  • 1.  Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Posted 12-02-2021 11:36
    Folks,
    I have a customer with a Story & Clark grand made by Yamaha in the early 70’s and I can’t quite see how to remove the cheek blocks and key slip.
    Leg bolt on the underside of the keybed. There is a little brown button on the top of each cheek block, but they don’t want to readily come out, and I don’t want to continue and risk ruining the finish I know there’s a screw under there!
    Thoughts?
    Thanks,
    Chuck Raynor
    St. Helena Island, SC


  • 2.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-02-2021 12:03
    A picture would help.  There should be a screw underneath the keybed.  The little button on top is probably not covering a screw.  If the leg covers the area where a screw might be located, perhaps the legs are mixed up.  Usually there's an access hole in the top plate of the leg if there is a screw being covered up.  After all, these are Yamaha's with a different name.  I have one of these in my clientelle, but I'm not near it to check and see how it goes together.

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    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Posted 12-02-2021 13:14
    Thanks Paul!  I didn't think to look at the "other end" of the legs-I'll check it out.






  • 4.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-02-2021 12:47
    Get under the piano with good light and your screwdriver. Each of the front legs has a hole to access the cheek block screw. If you can't find the screw head movers may have swapped the front legs. If so, support the piano with a couple piano jacks & swap them back.

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    Patrick Draine
    Billerica MA
    978-663-9690
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  • 5.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-02-2021 13:57
    Most of the time the screws come up from underneath. Sometimes I've had to remove the fallboard first in order to access the cheek block screws from the top. At least twice I've had to remove those rubber buttons you describe to access the screws from the top side. If you can't find option one or two, you'll have to try to carefully remove the buttons if you want to pull the action. They should come off with finger pressure. If you can't pry them up with your fingers, I don't know what else to tell you.

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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 6.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Posted 12-02-2021 17:51
    Benjamin,
    Thanks!  Apparently a mover switched the legs so the access hole to reach the cheek block screw is at the back of the piano instead of where it belongs!





  • 7.  RE: Removal of cheek blocks and keyslip

    Posted 12-02-2021 18:48
    Hello Chuck,
    And that's exactly where they are.
    Good luck!
    Peter



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    Petrus Janssen
    Peachtree City GA
    678-416-8055
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