Console Jack Reset Trouble

Don pianotuna@accesscomm.ca
Sun, 25 Jul 2004 15:11:11


Hi Terry,

Add lead weights to the keys on the capstan side of the balance rail. 

or

Replace all the jack return springs with stronger ones.

or

Get a real piano?

At 04:57 PM 25/07/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>    not repeat after playing softly). I  inspected and sure enough on many
>of the black notes, when played very  softly/slowly, the jack would not
>reset back under the hammer butt.    would reset immediately upon starting
>to release the key - the  hammer would stay up near the string and the jack
>would reset immediately - on  other white notes, the jack would reset when
>the key had fully returned (it  would rely on there being some lost
>motion).   I eased the black keys (some were tight) and  weakened the
>hammer butt springs and that seemed to help - but I could still  make a few
>of the notes not reset if I worked them very slowly.   I think most of the
>problem (besides simply being a  1980s YC console) is that the black keys
>all have a lead forward of the center  rail pin - pattern leading. These
>black keys are very front heavy. Most of the  white keys are unleaded (and
>they repeat just fine). The white keys require very  little weight to push
>the back of the key down - even a console wippen could  push them down! The
>black keys require much more effort to push the back of the  key down.   I
>think if today's efforts do not meet her needs,  re-leading is the answer.
>Piano is not worth a Stanwood approach, but maybe  drilling some 1/4" holes
>in the black note leads or even removing the leads will  make the key Front
>Weight more in line with the naturals.   Anyone have any thoughts on this
>situation or  direct experience solving a similar problem.   Thanks to any
>and all of you wonderful Pianotech  list enthusiasts!   Terry Farrell  
>www.farrellpiano.com 

Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.P.T.

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