Young Chang Syndrome

[Susan Kline]

I've found that notes which seize up as they warm up are usually due to 
failed center pin plating. Repinning with a little reaming of the bushing 
seems to work. I suppose some lubricating agent might attack the plating, 
but I've never heard what it is.

I suggest that you take a seized hammer (the hammer flanges usually seize 
the worst) and
take out the center pin, looking at it under a bright light and a 
magnifier. You'll probably
see the scored brass at the ends.

Samick has been particularly prone to this, but other Asian pianos 
sometimes seem to have it happen, too. I remember some Daewoos doing it, 
for instance.

Susan

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At 10:22 PM 01/05/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>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
>