When to do it

[Kevin E. Ramsey RPT]

I like Ron's method. We have to keep in mind where we live; what are the
seasonal changes there?  I live in an arid place. Most of the time I find
pianos (Mostly new) in which there is not enough lost motion. What I do is
this; Rather than adjust each and every capstan I usually try to kill two
birds with one stone. If I insert a piece of bushing cloth on top of the
hammer rest rail cushion, I do two things; I'm reducing the blow distance
(albeit only about 1 or 2 mm.) and I'm increasing the after touch. Usually
enough to put things into a better "perspective" as far as the overall
geometry goes. (As far as this part of the Country goes)
    By the way, The LOW temperature here today was 43 degrees F. On the
other hand, you really don't want to plan your vacation here in August!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@KSCABLE.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2000 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: When to do it


> >Clyde, List,
> >
> >A spot of Titebond does it.
> >
> >I leave the leather pieces on location when not in use, and make it long
> >enough so a tail is sticking out when in use.  That way I can easily
insert
> >and remove.
> >
> >Keith McGavern aka McLeather
>
>
> Hi All,
> While I don't seem to have a big problem with up and down lost motion
> changes with the seasons, I do notice one thing characteristic of new
> Yamaha verticals. In most cases, the capstans are set just a tad high, and
> the hammer shanks float just at, or slightly out from the rest rail cloth.
> I habitually do something like what Keith suggests. I horizontally slit
the
> little back cushions the rail sits on, half way down and about 2/3
through,
> and insert a little piece of bushing cloth. No glue is necessary, since
the
> bushing cloth is sandwiched in the felt cushion and the nap Velcro's it
> into adequate immobility. Eventually, probably depending on climate and
> use, everything has settled enough that I can simply pull out the bushing
> cloth, touch up capstan adjustment as necessary, and avoid two complete
> capstan adjustment procedures.
>
> Sometimes "lazy" works just fine.
>
>
> Ron N
>