Others have answered your question about cables but none so far have mentioned re-installing the action. I believe this is very important.
I have serviced more pianos with PianoDisc players than Disklaviers but you should be aware that any modern digital player has solenoid plungers that push up on the back of the keystick. Since you are unfamiliar with players I will add this very important precaution I was taught by a PianoDisc install technician:
1.) When removing the action on ANY grand, step on the damper pedal while pulling the action the first inch or two. This eliminates any extra wear or damage to the damper lift key end felts.
2.) When replacing the action in players, besides again pressing the damper pedal for the last couple inches, you should also depress ALL 88 KEYS at once to avoid the possibility of contacting and damaging any of the player's solenoid plungers with back end of the keysticks. To achieve this, use the keyslip. When you get the action almost completely installed, within about four inches or so, place the key slip, back side down, across the naturals AND sharps. As you press the keys down with the keyslip, look to see and verify that you're lifting all the hammers. After you confirm ALL the hammers are up, push the action all the way back into position.
I don't know if this is still necessary with newer players but I still do this whenever I replace a player action. Doing this insures you will do no damage to the solenoid plungers when reinstalling the action.
Original Message:
Sent: 8/20/2022 8:06:00 PM
From: Allan Sutton
Subject: RE: Removal of action fitted with Disklavier for hammer voicing
I will add that those systems require calibration after any type of action work, and regular cleaning under the keys....
Typically, it has never been done. If the thing has never been cleaned, regulated and calibrated, it may display all kinds of behaviour like sudden loud notes and poor control. This piano likely needs a full regulation, cleaning and calibration. Make sure they understand that the scope of this "tuning" is limited. And yes, have them test the system for you, and/or make ample written disclaimer. You don't want to hear "everything was fine before you tuned the piano" even if you and I know that it has been years since the silent was tried last.
Good luck!
Original Message:
Sent: 8/20/2022 5:48:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Removal of action fitted with Disklavier for hammer voicing
I had a customer with a grand piano with a silent piano function. you flipped a lever I think and a rail stopped the hammers from hitting the strings. You played the keys but it would be like a high end keyboard with electronic piano, organ, various instruments- it had headphones for silent practice. I believe it was an after market device but I do remember having her play it before and after I tuned the piano. I may have had the action out and disconnected the cable(s) I will try to find my field notes and her service folder. Sometimes there are warning stickers once you have the fallboard out. ALWAYS UNPLUG from the electric outlet when you disconnect cables and apply juice after cables are re-connected. I have only serviced one upright Yamaha that had the silent piano feature.
If you can find the service manual for the silent function it may give you some step by step help. You may be able to search the internet and find help but get the name and model of the equipment first
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-20-2022 12:54
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Removal of action fitted with Disklavier for hammer voicing
I've seen the Yamaha Silent uprights but not a Silent grand, but I can't imagine it would be much different. There should be one (maybe two) cables to disconnect, but once you remove the fallboard it should (hopefully) become evident how to do it. Sometimes there are instructions written on the inside of the rim that you'll see when you remove the fallboard. Other times it's on the action rails somewhere.
On the ones I've seen, working on the action is almost identical to working on a non-Silent piano. The only difference I've noticed is a rail that, when engaged, will move to restrict the shanks just enough to prevent the hammers from hitting the strings. That rail registers which notes are being played and how hard, and transmits that information to the headphones. I assume it's a very similar design for grands.
All that to say, if you already know how to remove a regular action I wouldn't worry about it. It's very similar with just one or two additional steps. Just use your head and your eyes and you'll be alright.
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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-20-2022 09:52
From: David Pinnegar
Subject: Removal of action fitted with Disklavier for hammer voicing
Dear John and James and anyone else familiar with Yamahas.
The owner of the piano tells me that it's not a Disklavier, thank goodness, but the mechanism that allows silent playing with headphones. I'm guessing this to be a tad simpler?
The venue, by the way, is
https://mani-sonnenlink.com/music-festivals/ and I can thoroughly recommend the area south of Kalamata for a very lovely life-experience.
Best wishes
David P
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David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
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+44 1342 850594