Pianotech

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Do a search on Amazon for piano slow soft fall device and you'll find a lot of them. They're all basically the same. The only caution is that when you install it make sure the rollers and the fallboard are absolutely square with each other otherwise it will squeak when the fallboard is closed. Also, make sure the customer knows to not force the fallboard to close any faster than the device will let it. It's a hydraulic device and it's not that hard to pop the seals. I have installed several and they work well. 

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Geoff,

You've done this on a grand?  The ones on Amazon ard identical to the one he has (I checked the dimensions) and what happens is that the fallboard does not come all the way down because the unit itself is too "thick".  Amazon was the first place I checked. Also called Yamaha and they know nothing about anything for it.  The unit works on an upright but not a grand. 

Open to other ideas. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Do a search on Amazon for piano slow soft fall device and you'll find a lot of them. They're all basically the same. The only caution is that when you install it make sure the rollers and the fallboard are absolutely square with each other otherwise it will squeak when the fallboard is closed. Also, make sure the customer knows to not force the fallboard to close any faster than the device will let it. It's a hydraulic device and it's not that hard to pop the seals. I have installed several and they work well. 

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

I've installed two of them on uprights but never on a grand. Never occurred to me that the clearance could be different. Good to know. 

Geoff,

You've done this on a grand?  The ones on Amazon ard identical to the one he has (I checked the dimensions) and what happens is that the fallboard does not come all the way down because the unit itself is too "thick".  Amazon was the first place I checked. Also called Yamaha and they know nothing about anything for it.  The unit works on an upright but not a grand. 

Open to other ideas. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Do a search on Amazon for piano slow soft fall device and you'll find a lot of them. They're all basically the same. The only caution is that when you install it make sure the rollers and the fallboard are absolutely square with each other otherwise it will squeak when the fallboard is closed. Also, make sure the customer knows to not force the fallboard to close any faster than the device will let it. It's a hydraulic device and it's not that hard to pop the seals. I have installed several and they work well. 

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may work.

I've only installed the hydraulic upright slow falls made by Reinert:

https://kdpianoparts.com/shop/55-hinges---brackets---casework-parts-----/741-grand-fallboard-brake-lr/

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

John --

I was trying to think of where I got a set of these once and could not remember. Thanks. Wasn't Yamaha but it may have been Kawai. Anyway, when I received them I realized that they would take a bit more precision woodworking and finishing skills than I have so brought in a polyester finish guy to do the install. He made it look easy and it worked perfectly. 

This may work.

I've only installed the hydraulic upright slow falls made by Reinert:

https://kdpianoparts.com/shop/55-hinges---brackets---casework-parts-----/741-grand-fallboard-brake-lr/

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Geoff,

So far all I have of this is a diagram if the unit. It l looks like it involves some surgery on the fallboard and possibly on the case side as well. Am I correct on this?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

John --

I was trying to think of where I got a set of these once and could not remember. Thanks. Wasn't Yamaha but it may have been Kawai. Anyway, when I received them I realized that they would take a bit more precision woodworking and finishing skills than I have so brought in a polyester finish guy to do the install. He made it look easy and it worked perfectly. 

This may work.

I've only installed the hydraulic upright slow falls made by Reinert:

https://kdpianoparts.com/shop/55-hinges---brackets---casework-parts-----/741-grand-fallboard-brake-lr/

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Geoff,

So far all I have of this is a diagram if the unit. It l looks like it involves some surgery on the fallboard and possibly on the case side as well. Am I correct on this?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

John --

I was trying to think of where I got a set of these once and could not remember. Thanks. Wasn't Yamaha but it may have been Kawai. Anyway, when I received them I realized that they would take a bit more precision woodworking and finishing skills than I have so brought in a polyester finish guy to do the install. He made it look easy and it worked perfectly. 

This may work.

I've only installed the hydraulic upright slow falls made by Reinert:

https://kdpianoparts.com/shop/55-hinges---brackets---casework-parts-----/741-grand-fallboard-brake-lr/

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Yes, it involves some surgery. A hole needs to be drilled out of the side of the fallboard for the mechanism to fit into. I'm guessing that the measurements shown in the drawing are millimeters, but that's still a pretty big hole, and it has to be precise. And because it has to be drilled through the polyester finish, the one time I was presented with this job I opted to have our local, now retired, finish guy do the installation. He made it look easy, but then he'd done it before. The slots need to be installed on both sides for the mechanism to drop in to, as well. Again, much too delicate and precise of a procedure for me to attempt with the tools and skills I have. 

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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2024 07:00
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Slow close mechanism add on

Geoff,

So far all I have of this is a diagram if the unit. It l looks like it involves some surgery on the fallboard and possibly on the case side as well. Am I correct on this?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 16:44
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Slow close mechanism add on

John --

I was trying to think of where I got a set of these once and could not remember. Thanks. Wasn't Yamaha but it may have been Kawai. Anyway, when I received them I realized that they would take a bit more precision woodworking and finishing skills than I have so brought in a polyester finish guy to do the install. He made it look easy and it worked perfectly. 

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 15:39
From: John Gallen
Subject: Slow close mechanism add on

This may work.

I've only installed the hydraulic upright slow falls made by Reinert:

https://kdpianoparts.com/shop/55-hinges---brackets---casework-parts-----/741-grand-fallboard-brake-lr/

------------------------------
John Gallen E.A.
2024 Institute Director
Brooks,Ltd & 1040 Pianos
South Windham, CT
860-428-6045
1040pianos@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-26-2024 14:55
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Slow close mechanism add on

I have a client with a Yamaha GA1 who would like a slow close mechanism that fits that model. He ordered one somewhere but it does not work (i.e. fit). 

Any known reliable sources?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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