Pianotech

  • 1.  Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2022 00:18

    I just got the following email from one of my clients (a conservatory):


    "We just purchased our Boston piano this summer and you tuned it in the month of July [July 13]. We are having an issue with A2. It has an odd overtone (you hear F). Please advise."

    That's all the information I have at the moment. After tuning I played the piano for a few minutes and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I told them to contact me immediately if something comes up and today was the first I heard from them. I'm going to set up a time to go over and check it out. Any ideas on what would cause this and how to correct it, if possible?



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 2.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Posted 08-25-2022 01:24
    Hello, Benjamin,

    New Boston or used? If used, how old?

    In either event, check the dampers for correct operation.

    Kind regards.

    Horace

    On 8/24/2022 9:18 PM, Benjamin Sanchez via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
    > I just got the following email from one of my clients (a conservatory):
    >
    >
    >
    > "We just purchased our Boston piano this summer and you tuned it in the month of July [July 13]. We are having an issue with A2. It has an odd overtone (you hear F). Please advise."
    >
    > That's all the information I have at the moment. After tuning I played the piano for a few minutes and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I told them to contact me immediately if something comes up and today was the first I heard from them. I'm going to set up a time to go over and check it out. Any ideas on what would cause this and how to correct it, if possible?
    >
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    > Piano Technician / Artisan
    > (256) 947-9999
    > www.professional-piano-services.com
    > ------------------------------
    >
    >
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2022 07:58
    Benjamin, 

    They didn't specify at which octave level they hear F. As Horace said, first stop is damper system. If dampers check out AND it appears to be a low frequency such as F2 or even F3, next on the list would be to check plate struts for resonance. Start with the lowest and longest...tap them all and see if any vibrate at or near the offending frequency. If so, just grab the strut and have them play the piano. If that turns out to be the actual problem buy a large bar magnet and stick it on the strut. That will lower the frequency (or perhaps even stop it) and get it out of the bothersome zone.

    If that all fails check case parts for similar resonance, and then start looking around the room for what else might possibly like the F frequency. 

    If however it's a very high pulsing F then you probably have a LM issue with that note. That's a whole 'nother ball of wax.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

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


  • 4.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2022 08:30
    The Boston is a 2008 GP178. Sorry, should have specified earlier.


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


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Posted 08-26-2022 07:20
    Benjamin,
    I have three 178s in my fleet, just a couple years newer than yours. If you aren't able to isolate the problem to the speaking length (a leaking damper or higher) I would try damping the strings between the capo and the tuning pins. On mine there is a ton of extra noise there, enough so that I sometimes need to damp them there while tuning. If you find the offender there, a small length of bushing cloth braided through the strings of the unison should take care of the issue.
    David
    ___
    David Dunn
    Piano Maintenance Technician and Coordinator
    UNI School of Music
    319-273-7337
    RSL 190  /  Cedar Falls, IA 50614
    uni.edu  /  #1UNI



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2022 07:45
    Ben

    The overtone might be the E. Customers sometimes forget which note is the issue, or which note they are hearing. 

    This is probably a simple issue of adjust the pedal. There should be a little more than 1/2" of lost motion in the pedal to lift all the dampers. 

    Wim



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Member
    Posted 08-25-2022 20:35
    ha ha I am having the same issue on a newer Boston grand that has a qrs pianomation system. Several notes have damper leaks/overtones and I am certain it is the lack of lost motion not allowing the damper lift tray to fully seat so that gravity can settle the dampers. I have to go back unfortunately  because the small metric wrenches I needed to reset the lost motion where back home. On player pianos damper operation depends on a very low damper lift from the strings. Manual lift with the pedal is set first and the solenoid throw is set last to a setting that also barely lifts the dampers. Too much throw will generate more heat and shorten the solenoid life.

    If it is a single note or two check the backside of the damper felt using a mirror. I had a grand that drove me crazy trying to shut off the leak. All I needed to do is a little twist on the damper head. The use of a magnet on a strut can help as suggested. It can be just enough extra mass to dampen the resonance. The magnet can be painted gold to blend it in.

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


  • 8.  RE: Overtones on a Boston 6' Grand

    Member
    Posted 09-05-2022 09:51
    This is an update on the damper leaks. Adjusting the pedal rod did nothing and by the way the nuts where 10mm. I am going back to adjust the damper heads individually by tipping them to damp off the rear side or I may loosen the flange screws and reset the wire after cleaning/polishing and lubricating it. Pressing the sustain pedal holding it down strumming the strings and letting the pedal go did not damp off completely. Same issue on a number of notes in the bass and mid section.

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