String breakage (& yamaha butts)

[Ken Jankura]

The control one can have over touchweight and repetition, and the speed of
serviceablity, with the spring rail, makes me doubt there is any advantage
whatsoever to, what one guy in our chapter calls, the STUPID springs. OK,
sorry, there are two advantages, but only one of them affects me; lower
manufacturing cost, and easier access to damper wires. I have yet to see a
Yamaha I can't make the lower tenor hammers bobble with just the right
touch. In other words, I very much dislike the schwander type springs and
wish they would go away. I have performed near miracles on less-than-stellar
instruments in minutes by manipulating the spring rail springs. I don't even
make an attempt on the butt springs. Has anyone been able to strengthen (or
weaken) a butt spring with the action in the piano? I think I tried once.

Ken Jankura RPT
Fayetteville PA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Vincent E. Mrykalo" <mrykalve@potsdam.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: String breakage (& yamaha butts)


> Good question, Jeff.  I have heard that it was a superior design from
> past PTG classes and such.  I'm sure you know some of the theoretical
> reasons, which have to do with improved repetition, but I wonder how
> much is transferable to real time.
> >
> >
> >I'd like to know, why is it that this design is so much of an improvement
> >over the spring rail design that it is worth making it more difficult to
> >remove and replace hammer butts, except to sell parts when the cord
breaks?
> >
> >(Hey, are these covered under warranty?)
> >
> >Even Steinway is using these now, and with the jack stop rail, rather
than
> >the felt on the catcher, accessing the butt flange screws becomes an even
> >more difficult challenge.  Somewhat like the Baldwin damper upstop rail
> >screws being located directly behind the sostenuto brackets and you've
got
> >to get in there with a phillips.
> >
> >Got no tricks.  The time or two I've replaced these cords I had to wait
> >quite a while while they dried.  Only had white glue in my case.  By the
> >way, I assume you know that you can get this cord from your local fish
and
> >tackle shop.
> >Jeff
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>
> --
> Vince Mrykalo RPT MPT
> Senior Piano Technician
> Crane School of Music
> _______________________________________________
> caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>