Pianotech

Greetings,

I am committed to doing a complete test of the main [2] damper centers on a Chickering CH189 6'1" Grand #77667 [year not findable -- 1980's?]. I did an action overhaul regulation in 2023, and have twice now done single unplayable tight-damper repairs. Last time I outlined the correct procedure if it happened again: test ALL of them while it was apart, then repair, during that same session, any that are tight.. During this November's service, a damper in the tenor had the familiar problem. It would not return and would not respond to any type of quick-fix stuff and needs removal/testing/repinning. He understands what's happening. I'll go there and find all of the tight ones and repair them.

I'm looking for help in this post, regarding working efficiently. I suspect these are Young Chang parts, although I would have been guessing Samick for the manufacturer. Long ago, I did a bunch of Young Chang sets in the Toronto Canadian warehouse that existed at that time, and also under warranty in people's homes. But I don't remember exactly what I did. I think: Move stop rail up, remove sostenuto, take each one out individually with the damper attached, test the two pivots by feel or gram gauge, re-install or repin. I'd love to go in there a bit more prepared ... like smarter than I am now. I'm assuming the tight-ish ones will be completely de-attached from the damper to accomplish the re-pinning part. 

Any words of wisdom are welcome!

And while we're here, does anybody know what's up with Young Chang centres being the only late 20th century company it seems that cannot have centres fixed by chemical treatment [sizing/lubricating] using chlorofluorocarbon liquid or whatever protec is, silicone-naptha, etc, etc. I have never learned why they are impervious to our usual quick repairs. Entire sets of console jacks, upright hammer flanges, grand dampers, more. It's a real hassle when one suddenly gets tight, along with the aspect that any one in the future could suddenly get too tight to operate.

Well .... that's my rant-like question. Thank you.  

------------------------------
David Patterson RPT
Newmarket ON
(416) 638-0901
------------------------------

Greetings,

I am committed to doing a complete test of the main [2] damper centers on a Chickering CH189 6'1" Grand #77667 [year not findable -- 1980's?]. I did an action overhaul regulation in 2023, and have twice now done single unplayable tight-damper repairs. Last time I outlined the correct procedure if it happened again: test ALL of them while it was apart, then repair, during that same session, any that are tight.. During this November's service, a damper in the tenor had the familiar problem. It would not return and would not respond to any type of quick-fix stuff and needs removal/testing/repinning. He understands what's happening. I'll go there and find all of the tight ones and repair them.

I'm looking for help in this post, regarding working efficiently. I suspect these are Young Chang parts, although I would have been guessing Samick for the manufacturer. Long ago, I did a bunch of Young Chang sets in the Toronto Canadian warehouse that existed at that time, and also under warranty in people's homes. But I don't remember exactly what I did. I think: Move stop rail up, remove sostenuto, take each one out individually with the damper attached, test the two pivots by feel or gram gauge, re-install or repin. I'd love to go in there a bit more prepared ... like smarter than I am now. I'm assuming the tight-ish ones will be completely de-attached from the damper to accomplish the re-pinning part. 

Any words of wisdom are welcome!

And while we're here, does anybody know what's up with Young Chang centres being the only late 20th century company it seems that cannot have centres fixed by chemical treatment [sizing/lubricating] using chlorofluorocarbon liquid or whatever protec is, silicone-naptha, etc, etc. I have never learned why they are impervious to our usual quick repairs. Entire sets of console jacks, upright hammer flanges, grand dampers, more. It's a real hassle when one suddenly gets tight, along with the aspect that any one in the future could suddenly get too tight to operate.

Well .... that's my rant-like question. Thank you.  

------------------------------
David Patterson RPT
Newmarket ON
(416) 638-0901
------------------------------