OK, since you asked...
Disclaimer: I am not a fan of the slow-close mechanism. At all. They are, in my view, mostly a gimmick for closing the sale on the dealer's floor. After 10 years or so most of them fail, and there are no replacements. Zero. We had a few hundred years of students learning on pianos without this
cool feature, and everyone survived.
And for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would want to attach a giant mousetrap onto the cheek block of their instrument with double sided sticky-tape.
Alright, end of rant.
But I do have a constructive solution that is perfect for teacher with small children.
A bean bag beaver. (Or bear of frog or monkey)
It looks cute for kids, it is removable without a trace, and it does the job 100%.
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Jurgen Goering
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-14-2023 17:02
From: Cecil Snyder
Subject: Retro fit slow close hinge on K. Kawai?
Many modern Asian verticals come with an hydraulic slow-close mechanism built in. It's easy to damage these by hastening the closing of the fallboard by pushing down on it as it closes, thus ensuring they will fail long before their time. Some people are just so impatient. Let it fall by itself.
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Cecil Snyder RPT
Torrance CA
(310) 542-7108
Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2023 15:36
From: Amanda Casanova
Subject: Retro fit slow close hinge on K. Kawai?
Great! Thank you all for your recommendations!
I'll go inspect the piano more closely and see if I can find any current weight rod or if I can just get creative with the current set up.
Also, Don thanks for sharing about the weight rod. I never knew that was a feature or that one could be purchased, very useful info!
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Amanda Casanova, Associate
Ivory52
New Richmond, WI
651-253-3792
Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2023 13:54
From: Donald Mannino
Subject: Retro fit slow close hinge on K. Kawai?
Amanda,
As others have posted, there are aftermarket answers for this.
Retrofitting the current Kawai style slo-fall dampers is not a practical option – the machining needed to correctly mill the fallboard ends and then cut the case arm insides is beyond what is practical.
You might check to see if there is a steel weight square rod in the back / underside of the fallboard. Some models were made without weights, and adding that can help the fallboard stay open better. Kawai can sell one of those to you, if you just call and contact the parts desk. But if the fallboard already has this, some other means will be needed. Adding mutes to the ends is a simple answer – or of course, trading in the piano for one that has the slo-fall system.
Don Mannino (no longer working for Kawai)
Original Message:
Sent: 1/13/2023 10:52:00 AM
From: Amanda Casanova
Subject: Retro fit slow close hinge on K. Kawai?
Hi,
I have a client interested in having a slow close mechanism/hinge on her K. Kawai key cover. She uses the piano to teach lessons and has had the key cover fall several times with students at the keyboard, which is why she has asked about this. I've tried calling Kawai several times but get no response. Does anyone know if this is possible at all?
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Amanda Casanova, Associate
Ivory52
New Richmond, WI
651-253-3792
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