Good old Newton

[antares]

I like your style Newton, and I am absolutely convinced about you being a
piano master!

Sometime, I will come and visit you and we'll have da beers in da garden
(yours , I do not have one)

Antares

> From: nhunt@jagat.com (Newton Hunt)
> Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Date: Tue, 09 May 2000 13:29:10 -0400
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Steinway damper
> 
> Dampers are not that difficult, just multiple steps and tedious.
> 
> Cleanliness counts.  The wires have to be polished with a fine
> metal polish and the bushings must be clean or replaced.  Bushing
> have no tolerance for wear or uncleanness.
> 
> The damper mechanism must have all centers free, about like jacks.
> 
> The damper blocks should sit squarely on the strings with the wire
> descending straight down to the upper damper flange and should
> float in the center of the hole.  The wire and head must rise and
> fall in straight vertical lines.  In Steinways the dampers must
> ride lightly one on side of the bushing to prevent vibration when
> raised quickly by the key.  It should ride the side of the bushing
> furthest from the strings on either side.  Raise the damper
> slightly and use a delicate touch to determine which side they ride
> upon and if it is too snug.  If so use wire bending pliers and VERY
> DELICATELY bend the wire so it just touches with a small amount of
> pressure.  Bend just above the upper flange.
> 
> The damper should center on the string without moving in any
> direction and should contact the string equally at each end.
> 
> Key timing and pedal timing are critical but not really involved
> with effectiveness.
> 
> Check out the cause before doing anything and think about the
> solution, anything you can undo, before beginning.
> 
> If you are installing a new set of damper felts install one damper
> at a time, get it working perfectly then go to the next one and on
> to the end.  The only thing you will need to do later is retime
> them when the felts have compressed.  Easier this way then trying
> to make them work after installing.
> 
> This is not a hard job, just takes time.
> 
> I can teach anyone, anytime; just air fare, room and board and some
> pocket money.
> 
> Newton
>