Pianotech

  • 1.  Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2023 18:05

    Hello all,

    There seems to be a consistent problem with new Pearl River grand pianos (including their premium Kayserburgs) in which the bichord dampers shift and no longer dampen the left strings. Unfortunately, this often doesn't happen until after the piano gets delivered, leaving unhappy customers. I haven't been able to figure out why this is happening, so although I can fix it by bending damper wires, I don't like just fixing the symptom without knowing what is causing it. It seems like the damper guide rail must be moving or warping, but the damper wires still move freely through the guide rail holes - the problem is entirely the damper seating on the strings.
    My other concern is that this is not always a "fix once and move on" problem. Sometimes things continue to shift even after years of being in the customer's home.

    Has anyone found a suitable fix for this? Or figured out what exactly is causing this?



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
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  • 2.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Member
    Posted 05-10-2023 18:47

    Maybe the problem is in the damper lift tray which could be warped. Also check the tightness of the screws that hold the wire in place on the damper flanges. The wire may need to be deeper in then flange hole. A very slight wire adjustment may be needed so the wire is in a perfect straight line.Check the damper head as well and how the wire fits. There are some good articles on damper travel and adjustments some written by Karen Robinson in past journals. How many Pearl Rivers have you seen with this issue ? 



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 3.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2023 19:16

    Hi James,
    Just to be clear, the only part of the entire system that is out of place is the damper head over the string. It sits too far to the treble, leaving the bass-side string ringing. This has happened to all three Pearl River grands I have brought into my store. I don't think I will be bringing in more.



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2023 19:09

    Peter,
    I was called by Pearl River to fix the very problem you describe. This was a warranty problem on a piano that was still in the showroom. I had to reposition the guide rail; not an easy task, as the guide rail is both screwed and doweled onto the soundboard.. I would suspect a gig system at the factory incorrectly positioning the guide rail.
    Roger



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    Roger Gable RPT
    Gable Piano
    Everett WA
    (425) 252-5000
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  • 5.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-10-2023 19:23

    Roger, yes, that sounds like the exact issue. Did you actually get paid? And do you know whether Pearl River ever paid out for this or if the dealer paid you out of pocket? Since Mark left it has been very difficult to get any anywhere with warranty or service.



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-11-2023 12:14
    Hi all, I have seen this once or twice before on other new piano brands.  When I see multiple dampers with the same side string ringing.  I've found that the guide rail is the culprit and needs to be loosen and pushed back over towards the ringing string.  Of course if the rail is in addition to screwed in also doweled into place.......good luck moving it.   



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-11-2023 15:19

    Peter,
    Yes, I did get paid by Pearl River. That is when Mark was there a couple years ago. I didn't know he left.
    Roger



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    Roger Gable RPT
    Gable Piano
    Everett WA
    (425) 252-5000
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-11-2023 09:14

    Here's a similar, but related problem: about a year ago, the dealer I work with delivered a small Yamaha grand; everything was working fine until, the customer claims, about 4 months ago. I drove recently out to take a look, and found many bass and several tenor dampers ringing. All involved poor damping of left strings.

     I got everything to work, but couldn't help wondering-is there anything the customer could have done, like attempt to clean them aggressively? 



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