Noisy Yamaha action

[John Meulendijks]

To introduce my self:

I am a piano-technician/ certified pianotuner working in the Netherlands,
Tilburg. Member of the VVPN/ Europiano. It seems nice to me to join your
list, reading over som subjects.

A way of cleaning that I use on the bottom part of a balance pin (most of
the times when it is oxidated, or even rusty is drapping a piece of rope (I
use cotton (plaited/ braided) dipped in copper cleaning fluid) Of course be
careful not to spill on the wooden balance rail. I drap it round it once and
use the loose ends to go back and forward etc. Get it thoroughly clean
afterwards. To leave no residues. (a new piece of clean cotton rope)
If I would like to readjust the balance whole, I would steam it very
shortly, let it dry by itself (takes time!!!) before I just push in a reamer
(conical) up to 3.6 mm cross section. to make the perfect fit.


John Meulendijks


----- Original Message -----
From: David Love <davidlovepianos@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 6:15 AM
Subject: Noisy Yamaha action


> List:
>
> I'm working on a Yamaha C5 c1979. I just replaced the hammers and shanks.
> Piano sounds great.  But, the action is very noisy.  Two types of noises
> seem to be there:  First, there is a sort of click that one frequently
hears
> when a note played or even tapped.  Interestingly, the noise does not
occur
> if you keep playing the note, only on the first blow.  In a discussion
with
> another tech, he informed me that some Yamaha keys tend to leach sap onto
> the balance rail pin creating a sticky residue that (when the pin is too
> tight) makes a noise (clicking type) when the key is first played.  The
> noise does not continue with repeated blows because the contact has, in
> effect, been broken.  Once the key rests for a bit, this contact sets up
> again and the noise will again be heard when the key is next played.  Some
> of the balance rail pins are, in fact, a bit tight.  I have not heard this
> theory before and would be interested in some comments if there are those
> who have.  I can certainly ease at the balance rail, but if this noise is
in
> part because of some sort of residue, what can the pins or key be
lubricated
> with that will have a positive effect.  I normally lubricate the pins with
> McClube (and these pins have been lubricated), so I suppose my question is
> what would you lubricate the balance rail hole in the key with.
>
> Second, there is a fair amount of side to side play in the whippen flange
> and I when I push the repetition spring from the side it makes a slight
> click where it enters the back of the jack tender.  Aside from addressing
> the problem at the balance rail, my first thought was to repin the whippen
> flanges and lubricate the lower part of the rep spring with some Protek
> grease type lubricant.  My second thought was to replace the whippens.
>
> Note:  The problem is not loose weights either in the key or the damper
> flanges (noise continues even with dampers lifted out of the way).
> Backrail cloth and cloth on the heel of the whippen are fine.  Leather on
> the balancier is not hard.  Hammer flanges are fine, and the hammer/shank
> glue joint is solid.
>
> P.S.  Though the action is somewhat "rattly", I realize that actions do
make
> some noise and that eliminating all of it is difficult if not impossible.
> Nevertheless, this customer is sensitive to extraneous action noise and I
> would like to get it as quiet as possible.
>
> I appreciate your comments.
>
> David Love
>
>
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