"Dead Keys - Noisy Hammers"

[Alan Barnard]

You are asking for help with a symptom that can be caused by many things and interactively, too. Why did you immediately assume it was jack springs? In my experience, that is rarely the problem unless they are broken or really rusty.



More likely causes include poor regulation (lost motion or lack thereof); bad hammer, jack, wippen, or butt pinning; slow key return (dirt, foreign objects, warped keys, rusty rail pins, ...); hammers misaligned; and more.



I'd start with the keys, then look at regulation, then hammer swing (you can try some Protek or similar, or alcohol shrinking if they are tight). Do you have a copy of Reblitz?



Alan Barnard

Salem, MO









Original message

From: "Steven Hopp" 

To: pianotech at ptg.org

Received: 6/8/2007 9:33:16 AM

Subject: "Dead Keys - Noisy Hammers"





Hello,

I am new to repair and have a question.  I recently worked on a Baldwin upright with wire lifters.  Several of the keys noted by the customer played but would go "dead" after several strikes.  The jacks were not resetting.  So I replaced those jack springs.  Upon replacing the action (pain in the neck) we found several more "dead keys".  Question:  Is it ever necessary to replace all the jack springs on a piano about 50 years old?  Are there any good reading materials on this action?

Also,  A few of the hammers seem to make a rattling noise when they hit the keys.  They seem loose but I can't tell and the noise happens when the strings are struck.  What should I look at to repair this problem?  

As an aside - the piano sat dormant for at least 30 years with no care at all in West Texas.

Thanks







  









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