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?
------------------------------
Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2023 19:08
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers
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
------------------------------
Roger Gable RPT
Gable Piano
Everett WA
(425) 252-5000
Original Message:
Sent: 05-10-2023 18:05
From: Peter Stevenson
Subject: Pearl River Grand Ringing Dampers
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 Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
(250) 562-5358
ps@pspianos.com
------------------------------