Damper harmonics

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

In regard to Dennis's problem on S&S 9' damping on F2

I'm sure by now you have already checked to see that it was not just one
string which was ringing. (that case usually involves one side of the
damper felt being thicker than the other side)  I have seen this same
problem at ASU, Tempe, AZ.  If the damper is rocked back so that the back
damper rests heavy on the unison keeping the front damper from resting on
the string, you can have the same result.  Another solution is to remove
the damper, replace the action and lightly touch the strings where the
damper felts would be touching.  If you get the same pitch over-ring,
then you need to slightly change the position of the damper felt on the
damperhead.  Sometimes a shorter damper felt is better than a longer one
if it is off the nodal point of the partial which is over-ringing.  Be
very careful in re-installing the damper, so that the rocking balance is
correct.  On only rare occasions have I needed to add a third
damper felt under the middle of the damper head.

There are a few occasions where the over-ringing was a residual of a low
Bass string partial.  This is found less on Steinways because of the
extra damper helper springs.  Sometimes in these cases though, you can
help by changing the offending Bass dampers.  I believe Dennis has
over-ruled this problem, because he was able to stop the over-ring by
toubhing the F2 strings and stopping the overring, which proves that it
was indeed in that note's damping characteristics.

Jim Coleman, Sr.   pianotoo@imap2.asu.edu