Return Springs on a Baldwin 243

[bases-loaded@juno.com]

Bill -

I have had some success in a few instances by adjusting the catch closer
to the strings.  It holds the hammer butt up higher for an easier return
of the jack.

Mark Potter
bases-loaded@juno.com

On Thu, 28 Dec 2000 07:48:24 -0500 Bill Ballard <yardbird@vermontel.net>
writes:
> List,
> 
> I have a piano teacher with a legitimate complaint about repetition 
> on a 20 year-old Baldwin Studio Upright 243. The jack won't make it 
> back under the butt until the key returns, and sometimes not even 
> them. The butt and catcher leathers are also a synthetic which i 
> would describe as 220 grit.
> 
> My test for repetition is to use a finger of the LH as an up-stop, 
> and to find at what point lowering that stop will prevent to jack's 
> return
> 
> The problem clears up when I lift the hammer rail for ~1mm lost 
> motion at the keyboard, but I'm uncomfortable leaving in a lost 
> motion of this size.
> 
> I did remove the spring rail and bend all springs to that the butt 
> had a minimum of return from the string (a bend going from 3pm to 
> 5pm, as viewed from the bass). The repetition didn't appear to have 
> gained, and now, the action is too slow in very quiet playing. So 
> regardless of what positive effect weakening the hammer springs in 
> relation to the jack spring might have, I'll have to backtrack from 
> this to get a more positive return in quiet playing.
> 
> I also changed one hammer butt for a brand new  Baldwin butt with 
> beautiful smooth buckskin, but once again it wasn't clear the the 
> dramatic step down in friction with real butt leather helped out the 
> 
> jack's return. Starting over with a complete set of new butts is an 
> option
> 
> Any ideas on improving repetition in this piano?
> 
> 
> Bill Ballard, RPT
> NH Chapter PTG
> 
> "Can you check out this middle C?. It "whangs' - (or twangs?)
>      Thanks so much, Ginger"
>      ...........Service Request
> +++++++++++++++++++++