maddening dampers

[Jon Page]

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At 02:55 AM 11/20/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>Damper not damping.  Grand or upright?  Doesn't matter -- happens on both.
>Press the strings.  Plenty of follow.  Check lift with pedal.  OK.  Lift
>with key.  OK.  String level. OK.  Regulation, alignment, seating, OK.
>Softness vs. crustiness.  OK.  But it doesn't damp.  Check for sympathetic
>ringing on other strings, but no, it's this damper.  Take it off, needle or
>fluff up the area not damping.  Put back on.  Still doesn't damp.  Try
>pushing or pulling strings in/out, to change the string level.  Doesn't
>work.  Put strings back.  Still doesn't damp. Take it back off, peel off a
>thin layer of felt.  Put back on.  Still doesn't damp.  Getting
>mad/frustrated now.  Have tried all tricks learned in PTG chapter
>technicals, Journal articles, and convention classes.  Doesn't damp(en).
>Decide to replace the felt with brand new.  Do so;  re-check align, seating,
>regulation.  Still doesn't damp.  Well, it does, but not as well as the
>other (old) ones.  WHY?!!  WHY?!!  WHY?!!  Decide the felt must need time to
>settle into the strings.  Glad it's not for a concert that starts in five
>minutes.  Still need to hear some damper secrets that in 20 years of
>classes, articles, and technicals, I haven't heard or seen.      Sincerely,
>David Nereson, RPT, Denver

Has the assist spring broken? Is the wire aligned 90 degrees to the rail 
and enter the top flange unimpeded
and is not dragging on the side of the bushing? Is the wire 
polished?  Stiff center pins?   On a node?

Just what you wanted...more questions.

Regards,

Jon Page,   piano technician
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.
mailto:jonpage@mediaone.net
http://www.stanwoodpiano.com
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