Can anyone help me with a damper problem?
The piano is a 1991 Schafer and Son 4'7" grand. The first two bi-chord
notes in the bass scale (C2 and C#2) continue to sustain after the
dampers have settled onto the strings.
The dampers are in perfect alignment in all dimensions. There is plenty
of damper follow. There is nothing binding in the back action. The
damper wires move freely through the guide rail. The felt wedges are
rather wide at the point and settle very near the top of the bi-chord
strings; however, they look similar to all the other bi-chord wedges.
The sustaining sound is definitely coming from C2 and C#2 and is not a
sympathetic vibration from somewhere else. It seems like the dampers
are coming down at a node on the strings because the sustaining sound
appears to be a partial or harmonic of the fundamental.
Do I need to needle the damper felt? Is this a job for damper pliers?
Do the dampers require some modification? Would more weight on the
underlever help? Is this a design flaw the customer must live with?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
John Piesik
San Diego Chapter PTG
JPIESIK@ARINC.COM
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