Hi Lance, The path I take with this type of service is to identify if that would solve the problem, i.e.: will moving capstans fix your bobbling hammers? In my case, the concern was more to do with heavy key touch than the hammer bobbling. However, I found that moving the capstans seemed to assist in 1) changing touch weight which was excessive down and non-existant up and 2) allow the regulation to fall within a more 'normal' parameter. Looking at the capstans, they were at the back edge of the whippen cushion felt. For capstan position, I marked end keys of a section directly underneath the wip cushion felt. I moved the capstans to this mark and plugged the holes, and compared with the next keys. I moved them roughly 1/4 inch forward. Using end keys of each section, I moved capstans on each, and when these keys were complete, I used them to mark the rest of the section. I drilled a 1/4" hole (drill press) at the mark on each key, which seemed to work well with the capstan thread diameter. Removal and replacement of the capstans was hastened by using my Makita 3/8" cordless drill, hand-tightening the chuck over the capstan, _firmly_ holding the key, and spinning it either in or out. Total time for this operation was about 1.5 hours, once I deduced that this would help rather than hinder my objective. After moving the capstans, much regulation ensued. At least 2 hours worth. I billed 4 hours of my shop rate for this entire operation. I was more fortunate, as this took place in the store where my shop is, I dollied it into the shop (can't roll these gems), did the work, and returned it to the show floor. Now, for bobbling hammers. The weight of the hammer head, the compressed action, and the absence of a hammer return spring rail all contribute to hammer checking problems. I find that raising the hammer line, and subsequently dialing up capstans increases aftertouch, and gets the jack away from the butt leather, allowing the hammer to check on softer blows. Extra key dip helps as well, and you'll have to experiment to find what combination works best, and also allows for a respectable letoff, around 1/8". Even after all of these tasks are completed, you will still have hammer bobbling under certian conditions, soft playing with the sustain pedal fully depressed, the action simply cannot be regulated to overcome this. Before you start any work, get your warranty work approval from Baldwin. For warranty repairs on this or any Baldwin product, I call Kent Webb @ 1-800-876-2976 ext. 8585, or if you get a message, same number, but hit 2 then 1 rather than the 8585 ext. Have the piano make (I assume this is a BP-50 model) model, serial, date of sale and purchaser's name. Explain the problem and your proposed repair. Kent is excellent at suggestions and your claim will be entered into the Baldwin system. As I am a dealer technician, we are reimbursed through dealer credit. You can ask Kent how this applies to your situation. Personally, I'm pretty sure the local dealer techncian is unaware of this procedure, or it would have been instituted in this case. Any questions, just e-mail Good Luck! Rob Kiddell RPT Edmonton, Alberta, Canada atonal@planet.eon.net
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