Petrov 125 IV noise problems

[Tom Driscoll]

Pat,  This may not be your noise, But I had a noise resembling your
description on a Walter console. Corrected by replacing bushings in the
damper rod holders. They were hard as if soaked with glue but not glued in .
In this piano during play as you describe the damper levers were bumping
against the engaged rod when the key was released . The spoons were lifting
the dampers slightly further than the pedal . Timing was correct so I didn't
change them, but noticed that the noise went away if I pulled the dampers
way off the strings by lifting up on the rod with my hand - This sent me to
the swings and the bushings. Perhaps Alum. rail  a factor but I don't think
so.Tom Driscoll---- Original Message -----
From: "J Patrick Draine" <draine@mediaone.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 7:01 AM
Subject: Petrov 125 IV noise problems


> Dear Petrov experts:
> I have a customer with a new (3 months old) Petrov 125 IV, their 49"
> upright. I tuned it in June, shortly after delivery. He called
> yesterday complaining about annoying rattly action noise. My
> diagnosis based on the phone call was loose hammer flange screws, or
> even perhaps loose glue joints between the hammer/shank/butt -- but
> that was incorrect.
>
> I dropped by late in the day with just a few minutes to spare before
> heading home in time for various family activities.
> The noises are apparent mainly when the damper pedal is engaged and
> the piano is being played fairly vigorously. While we can isolate a
> few target source notes they don't generate much noise unless all the
> rest of the repetitive r&r/Bruce Hornsby/stride piano chording is
> going on at the same time.
> If it were a grand I'd suspect damper wires vibrating slightly
> against bass strings -- but it's an upright.
> I *did* tighten the hammer flanges, damper heads, damper flanges of
> the (suspected) source notes, but they were already firm, and no
> improvement occurred.
> The pedal dowels were the next suspects: the plastic/metal
> pins/rubber contacts between the (aluminum not wood) dowels had
> excess free play  -- BUT installing a better bushing didn't help.
> Is there something potentially funky about the damper lift rod
> bushings? I didn't have time to pull the action, but still managed to
> get home late & have the family ticked off at me.
> The customer bought the piano in NYC to save $2K compared to the
> local dealer; the local dealer won't give him the time of day now, so
> dropping the problem on the local dealer isn't an option.
> Besides, it *should* be the sort of thing that goes away with a few
> tightened screws, etc.!
> Richard B, Wim, et. al. -- does the problem sound familiar?
> I'm going back on Tuesday with less time constraint, and hopefully your
advice.
> TIA,
> Patrick Draine
> Billerica, MA