Setting the damper stop rail in a grand

[Avery Todd]

Bill/Wim/List,

   Bingo, Wim. You get the brass ring. Sorry I'm so late responding.
I haven't been online since about Friday.
   The only thing I would add is that the key dip needs to already be
set correctly and sometimes, on some pianos, you need to put some kind
of limiter (is that a word?) on the sustain pedal travel. A very firm
stop felt, bolt, capstan, whatever, underneath the keybed.
   Double check everything once it's all done. To make sure the dampers
are not pressing into the upstop felt.

Avery

><<   I'd never thought of clothespins there. However, I DO use them, cut
>  off above the little slot for the closeline, to hold sample damper heads
>  up while I'm setting the upstop rail.
>
>  Avery >>
>
> This sounds like a good one for the Tools & Tips column, Avery.  I'll set it
> up as a question:
>
> Q.  I always set my damper stop rail in a grand by trial and error.  Does
> anyone have any jigs or techniques for doing this in a foolproof way?
>
> (Please, Avery tell us exactly how you do this, I am interested to know).
>
> Bill Bremmer RPT >>
>
>
>With the action in the piano, play any sharp, and using the cloths pins, hold
>the damper head up. I do this to two sharps in the bass, and two in each
>section of the treble. It might be helpful if you know where the upstop rail
>screws are located. You don't want the damper wire that is being held up in
>the way of the screw. Once you have the damper heads held up by the clothes
>pins, remove the action, and lower the  upstop rail so that it lays on top of
>the damper lever. You don't want to put too much pressure on the rail, other
>wise it will lower the damper levers. Tighten the screws, and your done. It
>has worked very time for me.
>
>Of course, in order for this to work properly, you have to have the damper
>levers set at the right hight. But that's another story.
>
>Willem Blees