Pianotech

Hello All,

On Friday I came to a piano that needs new felt for the soft rail. Mic got in it several years ago (?), but miraculously only ate up the soft rail felt. There were a few droppings in the piano but they didn't look too new. I'm assuming they were from before the move.

I was able to order new felt for the soft rail, but my question is how to attach it to the metal rail itself. The piano in question is a 1995 Yamaha M500, and it appears to have been attached with shellac? I can't tell for sure. I already have shellac for accordion repairs, but if there's a better alternative I'm all ears. Thanks for the advice!

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

UHU all purpose adhesive (from Germany). Available on Amazon. Bosendorfer factory uses it to glue plate felts on. I now use it for the same purpose and numerous others. Acetone based, good tack, quite strong bond on metal.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 20:39
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Benjamin

Please explain what you mean with the "soft rail". 

Wim,

Whatever you want to call the middle pedal on Yamaha uprights. Soft pedal, practice pedal, muffler pedal, quiet pedal… the piece of felt that comes down between the hammers and the strings. 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 20:39
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Benjamin

Please explain what you mean with the "soft rail". 

Original Message:
Sent: 12/10/2023 9:07:00 PM
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: RE: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Wim,

Whatever you want to call the middle pedal on Yamaha uprights. Soft pedal, practice pedal, muffler pedal, quiet pedal… the piece of felt that comes down between the hammers and the strings. 

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

No worries my friend, it happens to the best of us from time to time. 

Also, I apologize if my reply came across as a bit snappy, that wasn’t my intention. 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 22:17
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

I call it the mute rail. 

Sorry, I didn't understand what you meant. 

Original Message:
Sent: 12/10/2023 9:07:00 PM
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: RE: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Wim,

Whatever you want to call the middle pedal on Yamaha uprights. Soft pedal, practice pedal, muffler pedal, quiet pedal… the piece of felt that comes down between the hammers and the strings. 

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


Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 20:39
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Benjamin

Please explain what you mean with the "soft rail". 

The middle pedal on Yamaha uprights, often termed soft, practice, muffler, or quiet pedal, delicately places a felt barrier between hammers and strings. It's a nuanced addition enhancing the pianist's expressive control.

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Rolex Dev
228881170
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 21:06
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Wim,

Whatever you want to call the middle pedal on Yamaha uprights. Soft pedal, practice pedal, muffler pedal, quiet pedal… the piece of felt that comes down between the hammers and the strings. 

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


Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2023 20:39
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Benjamin

Please explain what you mean with the "soft rail". 

Hi Benjamin,

Rubber cement works well. Just takes a bit of time for both surfaces to dry before attaching.

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Marc Abram RPT
Highland MD
(202) 468-8270
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I believe I used some craft glue that can be used for crafts that use felt, cloth, paper. a bead the length of the rail and something like a yard stick with clamps along the rail over the felt will give a good bond I have heard of burnt shellac as a good felt glue but never used it 

To discourage mice put some cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in a small jar or bowl on the bottom board inside the kick panel. Another good deterrent is a few cloth bags filled with chewing tobacco. Putting products like DE-CON is not a good idea because mice will die inside walls and other places. If there are pets like cats or dogs they can be poisoned by catching the mice

If the mice move in they can cause considerable damage to hammers, damper, keys , urinate on strings and pedals.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2023 21:59
From: Marc Abram
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Hi Benjamin,

Rubber cement works well. Just takes a bit of time for both surfaces to dry before attaching.

------------------------------
Marc Abram RPT
Highland MD
(202) 468-8270
------------------------------

Benjamin,

Curious...how did you decide to attach the felt thing to the metal thing?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-19-2023 00:11
From: James Kelly
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

I believe I used some craft glue that can be used for crafts that use felt, cloth, paper. a bead the length of the rail and something like a yard stick with clamps along the rail over the felt will give a good bond I have heard of burnt shellac as a good felt glue but never used it 

To discourage mice put some cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in a small jar or bowl on the bottom board inside the kick panel. Another good deterrent is a few cloth bags filled with chewing tobacco. Putting products like DE-CON is not a good idea because mice will die inside walls and other places. If there are pets like cats or dogs they can be poisoned by catching the mice

If the mice move in they can cause considerable damage to hammers, damper, keys , urinate on strings and pedals.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2023 21:59
From: Marc Abram
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Hi Benjamin,

Rubber cement works well. Just takes a bit of time for both surfaces to dry before attaching.

------------------------------
Marc Abram RPT
Highland MD
(202) 468-8270

I haven't gone back yet. The client didn't want me back until after the new year. I'm not quite sure what I'll use yet, but thank you all for the suggestions! I'll follow up and let you know how it goes. 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 12-19-2023 17:03
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Benjamin,

Curious...how did you decide to attach the felt thing to the metal thing?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-19-2023 00:11
From: James Kelly
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

I believe I used some craft glue that can be used for crafts that use felt, cloth, paper. a bead the length of the rail and something like a yard stick with clamps along the rail over the felt will give a good bond I have heard of burnt shellac as a good felt glue but never used it 

To discourage mice put some cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in a small jar or bowl on the bottom board inside the kick panel. Another good deterrent is a few cloth bags filled with chewing tobacco. Putting products like DE-CON is not a good idea because mice will die inside walls and other places. If there are pets like cats or dogs they can be poisoned by catching the mice

If the mice move in they can cause considerable damage to hammers, damper, keys , urinate on strings and pedals.

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


Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2023 21:59
From: Marc Abram
Subject: Adding New Soft Rail Felt

Hi Benjamin,

Rubber cement works well. Just takes a bit of time for both surfaces to dry before attaching.

------------------------------
Marc Abram RPT
Highland MD
(202) 468-8270

You may be done by now, but one of my favorite glues for things like this is E6000. 

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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
Lincoln, Nebraska
www.thattuningguy.com
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