Backchecking problem

[Robert B Edwardsen]

How long are the tails?  If they are less than an inch you might have to change
the angle of the back check to compensate.  When Steinway made their backchecks
smaller but didn't make their hammer tails longer they seemed to have more
checking problems.

Rob Edwardsen

Thomas D. Seay, III wrote:

> Dear list,
>
> I am stumped with the backchecks on this piano. The piano is an early 80s
> S&S L with new Premium blue hammers on Renner shanks & flanges and
> re-leathered original backchecks. I have CLOSELY regulated key height, dip,
> let-off and drop, spring tension, and all the other usual suspects. The
> problem is that the hammers absolutely refuse to check when the note is
> played at the level of forte or less. They just bounce between the
> backcheck and the string. The angle of the backchecks is good and they
> check high enough, but I just can't seem to get them to work in the piano.
> The problem is particularly bad in the bass and tenor, where the hammers
> are larger.
>
> The problem may be in the balancier. When I push the balanciers down, there
> seems to be much more spring resistance than normal although the hammer
> rise is not particularly fast. The original wippens have been rebuilt and
> repinned, so I'm pretty sure that it is a not pinning problem. The slots
> are clean and the springs have been cleaned and polished.
>
> I'm pretty much at my wit's end and if I don't get this resolved soon, I'm
> going to have to take a hostage. Any and all help will be gratefully
> appreciated.
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Tom
>
> Tom Seay
> Piano Tech Office
> School of Music
> The University of Texas at Austin
> t.seay@mail.utexas.edu