leaky bass dampers on a Knabe console

[Richard Winchell]

I tuned this instrument and all was well, i.e. no damper problems
whatsoever. About a week later my customer had a neighbor come over to
help her install rubber cups under the front legs. She called me almost
immediately  complaining about the dampers leaking. I went over and sure
enough there they were. I have done everything that I can think of
except for replacing the dampers with a new set including, checking
damper spring strength, damper alingement, removing the action and
tightening all action screws , roughing up the damper heads  etc. From
the outset if I press on the bass strings the dampers follow as they are
supposed to do and if I place my had on the bass strings the sound
stops.  I  also checked for case geometry as best I could , all seems to
be in order . I have spen mucho hours on this problem and am convinced
that ther is a causual relationship between the installation of those
cups(perhaps the neighbor lifted up on the front of the keybed causing a
shifting of the case in some way which caused these dampers to
malfunction?  I am reluctant to replace  the dampers  until I get some
input from someone who may have had a similiara experience. Can anyone
help me with this? Thanks

Richard Winchell, Assoc.
Dennis, MA