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Piano Life Saver

  • 1.  Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 5 days ago

    Wurlitzer C143 #65612. Several bass dampers are hanging up. Piano is close to an aquarium. It has a G6-PS-38 SB. Should I install a Model 24-25 (7F) under the keybed, or a 38 watt, or?



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    Dan Eumurian, RPT
    La Crosse, WI
    www.LaCrossePiano.com
    (608) 78-TUNER
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  • 2.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 5 days ago

    Hi Dan. You might want to check the pinning in those dampers before doing anything else. I've replaced a few pins in the 143, 153, and 173 series of these Wurlitzers. 



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    -Phil Bondi
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 5 days ago
    Hi Dan

    As Phil said, it might not be the humidity of the aquarium. Wurlitzers, a Samick product, are notorious for having center pins seize up. The few of them sticking might be the tip of an iceberg of all of the centers eventually becoming tight. 

    I would repin those sticking dampers, making note of which ones you did, and tell the customer to expect more sticking dampers and notes in the future. 

    Wim



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago
    Phil and Wim are spot on. 

    Samick used plated pins in some pianos and I know from my
    work with a local Baldwin dealership (which consigned the manufacture of these
    particular models) that it will only get worse once it begins. 

    The first one I encountered when I was still a bit green was, like yours, 
    near an aquarium and adjacent  to a kitchen . I first lubricated the 
    undelevers which masked the problem for a short time.

    But after the resulting callback, the dealer paid for me to do some deeper investigation,
    so I pulled a few of the pins and found the plating was sloughing off. 

    The only permanent solution is to replace the back action.. Repinning still leaves
    remnants of the plating in the action center bushing and it can't be completely removed. 
    Eventually, they will seize up again from binding friction even with new pinning. 

    You might check with Jane Jones at Samick to discuss this and see if they have
    a process for resolving this issue.

    Best,

    Dave


    --
    Dave Conte, RPT, CCT
    Owner, Rocky Top Piano
    Knoxville, TN
    817-307-5656





    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago

    Thanks, Wim. Will do !! !!!

    Dan 



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    Dan Eumurian, RPT
    La Crosse, WI
    www.LaCrossePiano.com
    (608) 78-TUNER
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago
    Dan, 

    Please see my comments. You might want to discuss this with the client.
    If it is a plating issue and you "fix" it only to have it return or appear on 
    other notes (which it will inevitably do), you will probably lose face and 
    probably this client's confidence. 

    Best,

    Dave


    --
    Dave Conte, RPT, CCT
    Owner, Rocky Top Piano
    Knoxville, TN
    817-307-5656





    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Posted 3 days ago
    I primarily lurk and don't post on this site, but Dan is a Chapter colleague, and I was surprised to see Wurlitzer was a Samick product! I have been a Samick tech for over 20 years and it was news to me. I checked Wurlitzer's website, no mention of Samick just the purchase by Baldwin. I then checked Samick's website, Wurlitzer was NOT listed. If it were a Samick product, the serial number would be preceded by alphabetical letters indicating the month and year it was built. Since it is likely NOT a Samick but instead a Wurlitzer product from 1926 as the serial number indicates. I suggested a treatment of  50/50 alcohol and water readily available from Walmart. Left for a couple of days then dried as needed with a hair dryer, not a heat gun!
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    Michael, I have encountered (one or of) the C143 Wurlitzer, and it was definitely made by one of the Korean manufacturers, not the US. Repinning works (use the Mannino methodology, which he developed long ago while working for Young Chang). Fluids to loosen things up (shrink/lubricate) work some of the time. Hats off to those who have 100% success with those methods; I find repinning more dependable.



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    Patrick Draine RPT
    Billerica MA
    (978) 663-9690
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago
    I've seen Young Chang built Wurlitzers as well. Signature expanding action brackets and all :).

    I don't know that Samick ever built pianos under that name.



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago

    Hi Dan,

    Have you checked the damper lever center pins? 

    I've had good success using Fantastik with a heat gun on Samick pianos-both on the back action and action center pins. Two years later, those pianos are still performing well.

    After reading "A Fantastik® Remedy for Verdigris" in the April 2022 Journal, I became a fan and realized it works not just for Steinway verdigris, but also for Samick related center pins. I know the root causes differ, but the results have been promising.

    As Dave mentioned, even repinning might not prevent the issue from returning. And I'd think replacing the entire back action isn't practical, given the value of the piano.

    If you're still exploring options, this might be worth trying.

    Best regards,



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    Elisha Katamura RPT
    Fresno CA
    (559) 765-7373
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    As in medicine, it is always better to accurately diagnose the real cause and treat that, rather than simply chasing symptoms. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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


  • 12.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    Elisha,

    Please tell us more about how you use the heat gun in conjunction with Fantastik.



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    John Pope
    University of Kentucky School of Music
    Lexington, KY
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Piano Life Saver

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    Hi John,

    I recommend using a needle dispenser hypo oiler-I use the one from Supply 88-to apply Fantastik directly to the bushing. Since moisture can cause the cloth to tighten, it's important to dry the area. A heat gun or hair dryer works well for this-just be careful not to overheat the parts.

    While drying, gently move the flange back and forth to help it loosen up.

    As others have emphasized, clear communication and good documentation are essential. Make sure the client understands both the underlying issue and the treatment being used. So far, this method has been the most practical and reliable solution I've found.

    That said, I'm always curious to hear what others have tried on these Samick pianos-open to any ideas that work!

    Best regards,



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    Elisha Katamura RPT
    Fresno CA
    (559) 765-7373
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    Original Message