Young Chang Syndrome

[John Lillico, RPT]

I dub it the "Young Chang Syndrome", where a note on a grand works just great through many repeats, then seizes up.

I have been told that Young Chang used a "lubricating" agent in their bushing cloth to super accelerate grand actions only to have it eventually backfire in the field. To their credit, Young Chang has performed vast remedial work under warranty.

I've just tuned a 1981(?) Wagner G185 (G812449) grand (Wagner was the forerunner of Young Chang in Canada) which has an extremely heavy, lazy touch. Protek on the knuckles seemed to help the touch in a pinch but not cure the problem. Many tight CP's are evident.

My questions are;

        What was Young Chang's super accelerator (lubricant) called?
        Through which years was it used?
        Is there an antidote, short of repinning?

Your imput will assist me in  recommending a remedial procedure for the client. This is not a warranty claim.

In my opinion, Young Chang has been exemplary in honouring (that's Canadian spelling) warranty claims. These questions are not intended as a "slight" against Young Chang Akki, for I hold the product in high regard. As piano technicians though, we have to know the right answers in order to effectively service our clientele.

John Lillico, RPT
Oakville, Ontario, Canada