Pianotech

One of my customers called me the other day complaining that ONE of her notes was going "thunk" but just occasionally and only on a firm, repeated blow.  The way she described it sounded like a blocking hammer to me, but having dealt with this issue many times on uprights (I tuned most of my years in a financially depressed area of Appalachia and encountered very few grands), but not yet on a grand; I'm doing a bit of homework before the appointment.   The piano is a Steinway model M.  The pinblock is rather dry with some "less-than-solid" pins (but still holding).   I plan to check the let off and back checking and for broken or unglued flanges, but beyond that what should I suspect?   (particularly if I'm unable to duplicate the problem)

The jack on Steinways is made of two pieces and the joint of the "dog leg" comes loose. If the jack on the offending note is not in alignment with the other jacks, that's a big clue. If the joint is loose the end of the jack will wiggle like a loose tooth. 

Sometimes the felt pad on the let-off button will come unglued and fall off that will do it.

One of my customers called me the other day complaining that ONE of her notes was going "thunk" but just occasionally and only on a firm, repeated blow.  The way she described it sounded like a blocking hammer to me, but having dealt with this issue many times on uprights (I tuned most of my years in a financially depressed area of Appalachia and encountered very few grands), but not yet on a grand; I'm doing a bit of homework before the appointment.   The piano is a Steinway model M.  The pinblock is rather dry with some "less-than-solid" pins (but still holding).   I plan to check the let off and back checking and for broken or unglued flanges, but beyond that what should I suspect?   (particularly if I'm unable to duplicate the problem)

The jack on Steinways is made of two pieces and the joint of the "dog leg" comes loose. If the jack on the offending note is not in alignment with the other jacks, that's a big clue. If the joint is loose the end of the jack will wiggle like a loose tooth. 

Sometimes the felt pad on the let-off button will come unglued and fall off that will do it.

One of my customers called me the other day complaining that ONE of her notes was going "thunk" but just occasionally and only on a firm, repeated blow.  The way she described it sounded like a blocking hammer to me, but having dealt with this issue many times on uprights (I tuned most of my years in a financially depressed area of Appalachia and encountered very few grands), but not yet on a grand; I'm doing a bit of homework before the appointment.   The piano is a Steinway model M.  The pinblock is rather dry with some "less-than-solid" pins (but still holding).   I plan to check the let off and back checking and for broken or unglued flanges, but beyond that what should I suspect?   (particularly if I'm unable to duplicate the problem)

Peter and Steven, 

Is there enough space to reglue that jack "dog-leg" without pulling the whippen? (i.e. should I have a table available to put the action on for this?) 

The jack on Steinways is made of two pieces and the joint of the "dog leg" comes loose. If the jack on the offending note is not in alignment with the other jacks, that's a big clue. If the joint is loose the end of the jack will wiggle like a loose tooth. 

Sometimes the felt pad on the let-off button will come unglued and fall off that will do it.

One of my customers called me the other day complaining that ONE of her notes was going "thunk" but just occasionally and only on a firm, repeated blow.  The way she described it sounded like a blocking hammer to me, but having dealt with this issue many times on uprights (I tuned most of my years in a financially depressed area of Appalachia and encountered very few grands), but not yet on a grand; I'm doing a bit of homework before the appointment.   The piano is a Steinway model M.  The pinblock is rather dry with some "less-than-solid" pins (but still holding).   I plan to check the let off and back checking and for broken or unglued flanges, but beyond that what should I suspect?   (particularly if I'm unable to duplicate the problem)

Peter and Steven, 

Is there enough space to reglue that jack "dog-leg" without pulling the whippen? (i.e. should I have a table available to put the action on for this?) 

The jack on Steinways is made of two pieces and the joint of the "dog leg" comes loose. If the jack on the offending note is not in alignment with the other jacks, that's a big clue. If the joint is loose the end of the jack will wiggle like a loose tooth. 

Sometimes the felt pad on the let-off button will come unglued and fall off that will do it.

One of my customers called me the other day complaining that ONE of her notes was going "thunk" but just occasionally and only on a firm, repeated blow.  The way she described it sounded like a blocking hammer to me, but having dealt with this issue many times on uprights (I tuned most of my years in a financially depressed area of Appalachia and encountered very few grands), but not yet on a grand; I'm doing a bit of homework before the appointment.   The piano is a Steinway model M.  The pinblock is rather dry with some "less-than-solid" pins (but still holding).   I plan to check the let off and back checking and for broken or unglued flanges, but beyond that what should I suspect?   (particularly if I'm unable to duplicate the problem)