bobbling hammers, again

[Ed Sutton]

Wim-

Along with what Jeff is saying, check (feel) if the nap of the buckskin is
reversed, or if the backcheck head is slightly loose on the wire.  Also check the
bottom edge and corners of the hammer; just a slight touch with a sandpaper file
to remove a sharp corner might make it work.

Are you making a laminated checklist of all these suggestions?   You could teach a
class next year.   Or sell the list.  ;-)

Ed Sutton



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Tanner" <jtanner@mozart.sc.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: bobbling hammers, again


> Hi Wim,
> There is one other inconsistency I have seen with my S&S grands that I
> haven't seen mentioned.  That is the firmness of the backcheck felt.  I've
> found on some of my pianos that a hammer which won't check and appears to
> be geometrically identical to it's neighbors will either have a firmer or
> softer backcheck.
>
> I encountered this problem on our performance D the other day on a mid
> treble hammer.  The backcheck was particularly spongy compared to its
> neighbors and the hammer just bounced right off.
>
> Jeff
>
> >Several months I asked about bobbling hammers in a grand. I discovered
> >that the shank lenght was too long.
> >
> > I now have a similar problem with a D. But this time, I've rebuilt the
> >action with new Steinway parts, (new h,s,f and wipps). There are three
> >notes that are driving me nuts. Unless I really smack the note, the hammer
> >doesn't want to check. They boble so bad that they hit the string on the
> >rebound.
> >
> > The regulation is just like the other notes, (dip, l.o.,drop, etc.). Not
> >only is key dip just like its neighbors, but when I increased key dip, it
> >didn't solve the problem. There is enough damper lever clearance. I've
> >adjusted the back checks to where the hammer checks almost back down on
> >the cushion. When I try to make it check earlier, it catches. I've bent
> >the checks so that the rake is enough to clear the hammer on the way up,
> >but still catches it on the way down. I've reduced spring tension to the
> >point of almost no rise, and I've sanded the backs of the tails. I even
> >changed wippens on one key, but the problem is still there.
> >
> > What are some other things I should look at?
> >
> > Wim
>
>
>
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