Damper lift rod

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Ed.. I would first check to see what you have to go on with the damper
spoons themselves. If they can be lowered a bit without causing problems
touching the dampers themselves and without screwing up the back end of the
whippen, then push them down a bit.

I would also check the condition of the mounting flanges for the lift rod
itself. Felt could be worn out, or screws could be loose.. even a broken weld..
tho these dont exactly fit your symptoms.. still have a look at it.

I wouldnt shave the top of the spoons.... I would rather just pull them and
clip off a bit from the bottom and re-insert... CA glue handy.

Ed Carwithen wrote:

> Good morning Gentlemen:
>
> some advice please!
>
> I Did a Kimball studio type piano a couple of days ago.  It had not been
> tuned for a number of years.. was 30 c flat.  Piano about 20 years old, and
> in generally fine condition.  Tuned up nicely...BUT when I checked the
> pedals the sustain had a horrible screechy sound.  More than a squeek.  Got
> the action out, and the damper rod is brushing the tops of the damper
> spoons as it operates.
>   I did not attempt to make repairs at that time as the hour was late, and
> the day had been long.  I am to come back and correct soon.
>   I would guess that the piano may have been jarred somewhat when being
> moved around from former house, causing the damper rod to fall.  I can't
> imagine that the spoons have raised.  The rod actually touches some 25-30
> spoons in every section.  You can see them wink when activating the sustain
> pedal or with the action out by moving the sustain lever.
>   It did not appear that the screws holding in the damper rod guides were
> loose. I should have checked, but did not.  It will be an easy thing to
> check.  I think that shaving a miniscule amount of metal off the top of the
> damper spoons would correct the problem, unless there is some reason that
> the rod would descend further.
>
>   Any thoughts?????????????????????
>
> Ed Carwithen
> John Day
>
> P.S.  Interesting day!  My first tune for the day was in a small one room
> school; only 15 students.  When I arrived there was no school!!  It had
> burned down at 6 am the morning before!!  The poor teacher, a young guy in
> his mid twenties, was shell shocked.
> Fortunately (at least in my opinion) the piano had been in the gym, and the
> gym was the only structure left standing.  The piano is fairly new and in
> great condition; a pleasure to work on.  I did the piano, as they are going
> ahead with their Christmas program, and school will be held in the gym for
> the forseeable future.  Never a dull moment!

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway