Pianotech

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

John, on the blocking note, use your finger to resist the hammer's movement toward the string while you slowly depress the key to let off.  Closely observe how the jack toe is pressing into the let off button felt as the hammer approaches the strings.  Perhaps your replacement felt is too soft. 

Also look for any deflection of the let off rail when you load the hammer as above.  If the rail and felt appear to be correct, then be sure the jack tip is not digging into a dent or groove in the butt; if that is the case, then add a bit more bolster yarn under the buckskin. 

Finally, increasing the let off distance (along with all the other associated regulation adjustments) will most certainly cure the problem.  Remember this is a 57+ year old upright practice piano!  Don't expect it to perform like a new/grand instrument.

1.  The first reason for hammer blocking on uprights is inadequate jack clearance. Just look and see if it's adequate  if it isn't then shorten the blow  by shimming the hammer rest rail and take up the lost motion by regulating the capstans u til you have adequate clearance

2.  The second reason is inadequate dip  if the key level has sagged in the middle them relevant them and check #1

3.  The third reason is because the backchecks are set too close to the catchers and pressing the hammers forward into the strings. If that's the case then regulate checking to pull the hammers away fro the strings in the checked position and then check #1 and #2

​​​

------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2022 11:58
From: John Pope
Subject: New vertical hammers blocking

I installed new hammer heads on a Yamaha P2 from 1965. This was part of an experiment to see how well I can rebuild practice room pianos instead of replacing them with new ones. Money was especially tight this year. The butts looked usable so I kept them. But now on a herd blow, now and then, hammers will block.

I removed all the hammers and smoothed a little ridge on each that I thought was the culprit (where the jack had let off a thousand times before). I actually cut it off with an xacto knife. It didn't seem to help. I tried bolstering a few butts with rug yarn and this seems to help but before I go ahead and do all 88 I'd like to hear other peoples experience with this.

------------------------------
John Pope
University of Kentucky School of Music
Lexington, KY
------------------------------

1.  The first reason for hammer blocking on uprights is inadequate jack clearance. Just look and see if it's adequate  if it isn't then shorten the blow  by shimming the hammer rest rail and take up the lost motion by regulating the capstans u til you have adequate clearance

2.  The second reason is inadequate dip  if the key level has sagged in the middle them relevant them and check #1

3.  The third reason is because the backchecks are set too close to the catchers and pressing the hammers forward into the strings. If that's the case then regulate checking to pull the hammers away fro the strings in the checked position and then check #1 and #2

​​​

------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2022 11:58
From: John Pope
Subject: New vertical hammers blocking

I installed new hammer heads on a Yamaha P2 from 1965. This was part of an experiment to see how well I can rebuild practice room pianos instead of replacing them with new ones. Money was especially tight this year. The butts looked usable so I kept them. But now on a herd blow, now and then, hammers will block.

I removed all the hammers and smoothed a little ridge on each that I thought was the culprit (where the jack had let off a thousand times before). I actually cut it off with an xacto knife. It didn't seem to help. I tried bolstering a few butts with rug yarn and this seems to help but before I go ahead and do all 88 I'd like to hear other peoples experience with this.

------------------------------
John Pope
University of Kentucky School of Music
Lexington, KY
------------------------------

1.  The first reason for hammer blocking on uprights is inadequate jack clearance. Just look and see if it's adequate  if it isn't then shorten the blow  by shimming the hammer rest rail and take up the lost motion by regulating the capstans u til you have adequate clearance

2.  The second reason is inadequate dip  if the key level has sagged in the middle them relevant them and check #1

3.  The third reason is because the backchecks are set too close to the catchers and pressing the hammers forward into the strings. If that's the case then regulate checking to pull the hammers away fro the strings in the checked position and then check #1 and #2

​​​

------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 04-13-2022 11:58
From: John Pope
Subject: New vertical hammers blocking

I installed new hammer heads on a Yamaha P2 from 1965. This was part of an experiment to see how well I can rebuild practice room pianos instead of replacing them with new ones. Money was especially tight this year. The butts looked usable so I kept them. But now on a herd blow, now and then, hammers will block.

I removed all the hammers and smoothed a little ridge on each that I thought was the culprit (where the jack had let off a thousand times before). I actually cut it off with an xacto knife. It didn't seem to help. I tried bolstering a few butts with rug yarn and this seems to help but before I go ahead and do all 88 I'd like to hear other peoples experience with this.

------------------------------
John Pope
University of Kentucky School of Music
Lexington, KY
------------------------------