Pianotech

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?

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 ? 

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?

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?

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

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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?

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

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?