Pianotech

I was tuning an Acrosonic this afternoon.  I got it sounding very nice which can be a miracle at times.  The client's husband said "I can still hear a clicking noise". I listened very closely and at first couldn't make out what he was hearing.  I finally figured out that he was hearing the "clunk" sound of the back of the key falling back in to place on the felt cloth attached to the keybed.  I told him I could take all the keys out and replace the felt but I was unsure if that would completely dampen the "clunking" sound.   He gave me a skeptical look and I said "I know it sounds like a BS excuse, but this is a 60 to 65 year old piano and the action parts are wearing out and there will be clicks and buzzes that I might not be able to completely get out".  I think he was mollified with the answer, but I felt that maybe I could have explained it a bit better.  Because its a drop action, I think I could lubricate every single flange and wooden part and it would still make some sort of noise.  I am pretty sure he thought it should sound and work like a fine grand piano.

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Patrick Greene
OWNER
Knoxville TN
(865) 384-6582
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I had exactly this same problem with a client's piano, also on an Acrosonic around the same age. It ended up being a very low density hammer shank on that note resonating on rebound. Replacing the hammer rest rail felt didn't help much. I had to put a new shank in. Not saying that's necessarily the case this time, but it may be worth testing the same hammer at a different location.

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Mathias Walters
North Charleston SC
(843) 619-7593
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Was the hammer rail cloth originally 5/8" wide by chance? Did you replace with the same width or did you move up to 1" wide?

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Derek Roth
Medicine Hat AB
14035806218
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2023 05:43
From: Mathias Walters
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

I had exactly this same problem with a client's piano, also on an Acrosonic around the same age. It ended up being a very low density hammer shank on that note resonating on rebound. Replacing the hammer rest rail felt didn't help much. I had to put a new shank in. Not saying that's necessarily the case this time, but it may be worth testing the same hammer at a different location.

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Mathias Walters
North Charleston SC
(843) 619-7593
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I don't remember the exact size. I always cut to the original width unless I see a really strong reason not to. A rotary cutter and basic layout tools make quick, precise work of it.

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Mathias Walters
North Charleston SC
(843) 619-7593
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2024 01:37
From: Derek Roth
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

Was the hammer rail cloth originally 5/8" wide by chance? Did you replace with the same width or did you move up to 1" wide?

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Derek Roth
Medicine Hat AB
14035806218
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2023 05:43
From: Mathias Walters
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

I had exactly this same problem with a client's piano, also on an Acrosonic around the same age. It ended up being a very low density hammer shank on that note resonating on rebound. Replacing the hammer rest rail felt didn't help much. I had to put a new shank in. Not saying that's necessarily the case this time, but it may be worth testing the same hammer at a different location.

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Mathias Walters
North Charleston SC
(843) 619-7593

Patrick,

You did everything right. Reasonable people know that things wear out over time and hold their expectations accordingly. Unreasonable people expect everything, especially spinets and old uprights, to be in absolutely perfect condition forever. Sometimes folks just need a good dose of reality. If he ends up calling someone else, he'll get the same answer. Don't sweat over it, and don't second guess yourself here. Your response was spot on given the situation. 

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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
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What about a round of screw tightening?

I have a very sensitive customer with an older U1. She kept swearing there was a noise, but I couldn't hear anything. I also initially explained that it was an old action and that it was parts hitting worn felt. I wiggled the wippen on the note in question-it was loose. I took the action out and tightened every wippen flange screw. They were all loose.

Next appointment: "I hear a noise." This time I had to tighten every hammer flange screw.

I realize tightening all these screws on an Acrosonic is a different task.

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Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
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Original Message:
Sent: 9/9/2023 9:52:00 AM
From: Scott Cole
Subject: RE: Baldwin Acrosonic

What about a round of screw tightening?

I have a very sensitive customer with an older U1. She kept swearing there was a noise, but I couldn't hear anything. I also initially explained that it was an old action and that it was parts hitting worn felt. I wiggled the wippen on the note in question-it was loose. I took the action out and tightened every wippen flange screw. They were all loose.

Next appointment: "I hear a noise." This time I had to tighten every hammer flange screw.

I realize tightening all these screws on an Acrosonic is a different task.

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Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
------------------------------

This is a "basic skill" in our profession: explaining that pianos wear out.

I use the comparison to cars, an older car could be rebuilt but at a cost beyond the value of the car and more than the cost of a new car (if it was completely "restored").

There are at least 10 to 12 felts on a spinet that can wear and create noise.  Replacing each of these would put the cost of the repairs or restoration far beyond the value of the instrument.  If the noise of the action is more than they can tolerate they need a newer instrument.

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Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170
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One thing you should check out is the rubber grommets on the key end forks that connect the keys to the whippens via wires. The grommets get dried out and distorted and causes clicks that sound like they come from someplace else. there can be other sources of clicks and often it is a process of elimination. the hammer rest rail felt is another where you will often see valleys in the felt where shanks sit

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 01:14
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

This is a "basic skill" in our profession: explaining that pianos wear out.

I use the comparison to cars, an older car could be rebuilt but at a cost beyond the value of the car and more than the cost of a new car (if it was completely "restored").

There are at least 10 to 12 felts on a spinet that can wear and create noise.  Replacing each of these would put the cost of the repairs or restoration far beyond the value of the instrument.  If the noise of the action is more than they can tolerate they need a newer instrument.

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Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170
------------------------------

As a cheap and temporary remedy for dried rubber grommets I apply a small amount of oil to the grommets.  Oil softens the grommets and restores some flexibility, though it is also degrading and temporary.

I use my secret string lube formula (CLP with a few drops of Marvel Mystery oil, but don't tell anyone!) when I find rubber grommets that the customer is too cheap to replace (= most spinets).

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Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 09:50
From: James Kelly
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

One thing you should check out is the rubber grommets on the key end forks that connect the keys to the whippens via wires. The grommets get dried out and distorted and causes clicks that sound like they come from someplace else. there can be other sources of clicks and often it is a process of elimination. the hammer rest rail felt is another where you will often see valleys in the felt where shanks sit

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


Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 01:14
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

This is a "basic skill" in our profession: explaining that pianos wear out.

I use the comparison to cars, an older car could be rebuilt but at a cost beyond the value of the car and more than the cost of a new car (if it was completely "restored").

There are at least 10 to 12 felts on a spinet that can wear and create noise.  Replacing each of these would put the cost of the repairs or restoration far beyond the value of the instrument.  If the noise of the action is more than they can tolerate they need a newer instrument.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170

Thanks everyone for the responses.  Thank you, Blaine, for the restoration of a car analogy.  What threw me off  was  having someone be so picky about an old spinet that they got for free.  This is one of the actions that has capstans on the back of the keys and not rubber grommets.  If called back to tune again in the future, I will try to tighten some of the screws.  It might be the hammer shank clunking on the hammer rest rails as well, so I could look at that.  The husband of the piano player was just being a show off in front of his guest (who was paying for the tuning).  He also made negative comments about his wife's family (she is from Mexico) and I was able to guess what kind of person he is when the front door is closed.

------------------------------
Patrick Greene
OWNER
Knoxville TN
(865) 384-6582
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 01:14
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

This is a "basic skill" in our profession: explaining that pianos wear out.

I use the comparison to cars, an older car could be rebuilt but at a cost beyond the value of the car and more than the cost of a new car (if it was completely "restored").

There are at least 10 to 12 felts on a spinet that can wear and create noise.  Replacing each of these would put the cost of the repairs or restoration far beyond the value of the instrument.  If the noise of the action is more than they can tolerate they need a newer instrument.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170
------------------------------

Ahh...a real piece of work...

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 15:58
From: Patrick Greene
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

Thanks everyone for the responses.  Thank you, Blaine, for the restoration of a car analogy.  What threw me off  was  having someone be so picky about an old spinet that they got for free.  This is one of the actions that has capstans on the back of the keys and not rubber grommets.  If called back to tune again in the future, I will try to tighten some of the screws.  It might be the hammer shank clunking on the hammer rest rails as well, so I could look at that.  The husband of the piano player was just being a show off in front of his guest (who was paying for the tuning).  He also made negative comments about his wife's family (she is from Mexico) and I was able to guess what kind of person he is when the front door is closed.

------------------------------
Patrick Greene
OWNER
Knoxville TN
(865) 384-6582
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2023 01:14
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Baldwin Acrosonic

This is a "basic skill" in our profession: explaining that pianos wear out.

I use the comparison to cars, an older car could be rebuilt but at a cost beyond the value of the car and more than the cost of a new car (if it was completely "restored").

There are at least 10 to 12 felts on a spinet that can wear and create noise.  Replacing each of these would put the cost of the repairs or restoration far beyond the value of the instrument.  If the noise of the action is more than they can tolerate they need a newer instrument.

------------------------------
Blaine Hebert RPT
Duarte CA
(626) 795-5170